Riders to bring in 20-man squad
US amateur side Long Island Rough Riders will bring a squad of around 20 players for their three-match trip to Bermuda over the festive period.The Premier Development League team’s opening game will be against the Bermuda Under-20s at Wellington Oval on Monday, December 27, before meeting defending Premier Division champions Dandy Town at Somerset Cricket Club on Wednesday, December 29.The Rough Riders will round off their visit with another match against Bermuda Under-20s at St David’s on New Year’s Day.Bermuda Football Association (BFA) believe Rough Riders will provide a stern test for the Bermuda Under-20s who are preparing for their Concacaf Championship qualifiers next month.Mark Wade, the BFA’s player development committee chairman, said: “We’re excited about what the Rough Riders will bring to the table and believe they provide beneficial preparations for our Under-20 national team ahead of next’s month qualifiers.”n Three more teams have signed up for the inaugural Player Development League (PDL) Christmas Tournament the Champions Cup.Wolves, Somerset Eagles and Devonshire Colts will also be taking part in the competition which runs from Monday, December 20 until Saturday, January 1.The competition will now feature four groups with the top teams qualifying for the next stage. Group One will see St David’s, St George’s and Wolves do battle, Group Two is made up of Dandy Town, North Village and YMSC, Group Three includes Somerset Trojans, PHC and Somerset Eagles, while Devonshire Colts, Devonshire Cougars and BAA make up Group Four. Matches will be played at BFA Field, BAA Field, Devonshire Rec. and Bernard Park.The PDL was set up last season to give those players not quite ready to break into first team football, aged between 18-23, a competitive avenue to continue their development rather than drop out of the game completely.Rough Riders’ fixturesv Bermuda Under-20s at Wellington Oval on Monday, December 27 at 2.30 pm.v Dandy Town at Somerset Cricket Club on Wednesday, December 29 at 8 pm.v Bermuda Under-20s at St.David’s on Saturday, January 1 at 2.30 pm.