Boyles sets Hogges mid-table challenge
Devarr Boyles has challenged Bermuda Hogges to remain undefeated in their final two matches of the season and secure the side's first ever mid-table finish.They take on Central Jersey tonight and Jersey Express on Saturday, with Boyles looking for a return of at least four points from the two home matches.Hogges are on course for their best ever finish to a season, having won four of their seven matches, and will be confident of claiming another scalp against Central Jersey who languish in seventh place in the table."We'll be looking to finish our last two games undefeated; we're looking to turn BAA Field into a home fortress," said Boyles, who is Bermuda Football Association?s youth director."If we get something out of these games we would have got results from 50 percent of our matches this season."Reaching the play-offs was always going to be a big ask, especially with only the top two teams qualifying. But, with two games to go, it looks as though we?re going to solidify ourselves as a mid-table team."The availability of ex-MLS man Khano Smith will serve as a boost to Hogges' hopes of a strong finish to the campaign, with the Boston-based winger returning to the Island for the Spartans and Express games.Boyles believes Smith's dressing room presence and professionalism can help further the development of Hogges' youngsters, many of who aspire to follow in the veteran's footsteps."It will be good to have Khano involved and we appreciate what the older players bring," Boyles said. "I know the younger guys watch them closely, even down to the way they tie their boots. It will be a good experience for the younger players to play alongside Khano; they are looking to emulate him by also playing pro one day."As the season has progressed, Hogges have had to increasingly rely on their National Academy youngsters due to the unavailability or injury of several of the squad's older players.Boyles believes the fact that the absence of those more seasoned campaigners has largely gone unnoticed is a testament to the mature displays of Hogges' younger crop, and he has been thrilled with their seamless transition to the higher level."A lot of the older players such as Kwame Steede, Angelo Simmons and Domico Coddington have been missing at various stages," Boyles said. "It's a credit to the younger players that we haven't missed them as much as we would have thought.?That shows what we?re doing at the National Academy is working, and next season I can assure you they?ll be a few more younger guys knocking on the door. On several occasions this season our back five has been under the age of 21 years of age that's phenomenal."The tactical nous of the relatively young Maurice Lowe has been another of Hogges' success stories this term, with Boyles admitting the BAA Wanderers boss has forced his way into the reckoning for the vacant national team coach's job."The Hogges season has been critical to Bermuda's World Cup qualifying preparations," said Boyles. "Around 50 percent of this squad will be involved in the qualifiers, I imagine." he said."As for the national coach well, Maurice Lowe's performance as Hogges' coach has certainly caught the eye, but I wouldn't want to preempt anything. All of the coaches in our National Academy stable are in with a chance."Hogges take on Central Jersey at BAA Field tonight. Kick off is 7 pm.