Bermuda Hogges striker Antwon Russell has been challenged to fulfil his potential and earn a living from the game by former top professional Shaun Goater.

Russell, 22, opened his Hogges goalscoring account from the penalty spot in his home debut against Harrisburg City Islanders last week and impressed Goater, the team's president, with his awareness, passing and link-up play.

And Goater, a lethal finisher in the Premier League formally with Manchester City, is now urging the Dandy Town livewire to make his mark on the USL-D2 and believes he could have the ability to play at a higher level.

"I really think he has great potential and the right temperament to make a career from the game," said Goater. "I watched him with a keen eye against Islanders and was impressed with what I saw.

"Time is on his side and I'm still assessing him to try and work out what his weaknesses are so he can then improve upon them. This season is a great opportunity for Antwon to show how good he is. The Hogges can be a platform for him to go onto bigger things."

Russell revealed his killer instinct by instinctively grabbing the ball for the penalty while his team-mates were still appealing to the referee, demonstrating the bravery and confidence Goater believes all hungry strikers should possess.

"There are two types of bravery in football," explained Goater. "The sort of bravery to make a tackle or diving header, and the kind of bravery to stand up and be counted when the pressure is on. Antwon wanted to take that penalty more than anybody and that's a good trait for a striker to have.

"If you look at John Barry Nusum, he got spotted by Crystal Palace Baltimore while he played for Hogges and that should inspire Antwon to make the most of his opportunity."

Hogges will be looking to build upon last week's convincing win when they tackle bogey team Richmond Kickers at the National Sports Centre on Saturday night. For Goater it will present another chance to assess former MLS trialist Russell against arguably the league's firmest defence.

"Harrisburg City Islanders are a strong team but I think Kickers are defensively stronger," said Goater.

"They have always beaten us and I'll be intrigued to see how Antwon gets on against them. We need to be confident but not overconfident as football has a way of punishing overconfidence."