Top-two clash exciting but not too important Russell
PHC striker Antwan Russell hasn’t put too much emphasis on achieving a win when his side travel to Bernard Park to tackle league leaders North Village in a top-of-the-table clash.Zebras are coming off a hard fought 3-2 win over Dandy Town last weekend while North Village’s midweek Dudley Eve final defeat to Town was their first of the season.While the match pits the top two teams in the table against each other, Russell reckons the result won’t have too much bearing on the title race, although he believes it will be an exciting game.“It will be a good game but we don’t want to put too much emphasis on the result because when you do that you lend yourself to disappointment so we are looking to be positive,” said the Bermuda international.“There is pressure on us every game because PHC is a big club and we are expected to win things, so this match isn’t holding any more significance than any other in terms of the league.“It is still early and things can change at any moment between now and the end of the season, so it is more about getting a positive result than getting the win.”With Village coming off a cup final defeat, the emphasis will be on getting back on track in the league and giving themselves some breathing space at the top.Russell, however, isn’t falling for the wounded animal talk, particularly with the defending champions being at home, and believes the side who gets their attack up and running the quickest will be the winner.“We are on the road so it will be great to get a win but a point is just as good,” he said.“They aren’t wounded because of their loss in the Dudley Eve final but they will be looking to get back on track in the win column.“The game will come down to attack because we both have the striking ability to put the game to bed before it starts, really, so it should be interesting.”Premier Division action continues tonight when Boulevard welcome St George’s to BAA Field looking to end their losing streak and move clear of the relegation zone.St George’s are level on points with their hosts, although they have played one game less and can move away from the drop with three points.In tomorrow’s other top flight matches, Dandy Town travel to Lords to face bottom of the table St David’s, while Southampton Rangers welcome Somerset Trojans to Southampton Oval with both sides to looking to continue their current form in the league.