Somerset Trojans coach Jensen Rogers is confident his team can turn their flagging fortunes around in the Premier Division heading into the second half of the season.

Trojans are languishing in the relegation zone, a point above bottom team X-Roads Warriors and four adrift of safety.

However, a narrow 3-2 defeat to PHC Zebras in the Friendship Trophy final on New Year’s Day has given Rogers renewed optimism as they seek to make a surge in the table and distance themselves from the drop zone.

“Right now all of our attention goes into the league games and just getting some points,” Rogers told The Royal Gazette. “This team is definitely not a team that should be getting relegated or should even be in the relegation conversation right now.

“Not from what we saw in the Friendship Trophy final and what we’ve seen in the last few weeks. So hopefully we will take this last month that we have put together and carry it into the next four months of the season.

“Reaching the Friendship Trophy final has given us some momentum and some belief.

“We already knew what was there. But we got to really see it through this cup run, so hopefully we can transform this cup run into some league points.”

Trojans will resume their league campaign against the same opposition at PHC Field tomorrow night (9pm).

Rogers has high expectations for his youthful squad that punched well above its weight by reaching a sixteenth Friendship Trophy final.

“The future is bright for Trojans,” he added. “The future is very bright and with the FA Cup still to come hopefully we can make a run in that.”

Trojans captain Jadan Ratteray-Smith is also looking forward to what he hopes will be the start of a brighter period for the club.

“We are still working and it’s a long-term project which is coming together,” he said.

“It takes time and is not something that just happens basically, and if we can match our potential in our performances than we should be all right.

“Survival is definitely the most important thing and hopefully this run in the cup [Friendship Trophy] helps our form when we start back up.”

“The average age of the team is pretty young; probably around 23 if I had to guess. We have a couple of senior players that kind of give us a bit of balance, but it’s pretty much six or seven 18-year-olds usually starting every week.”

Trojans acting technical director Danvers Seymour Jr is inspired by the team’s progress but admits there is still room for growth.

“Seven of our starters range from 16 to 20 years old and we are pleased with their growth and development,” he said.

“However, they have a long way to go and their football must speak for itself.”

Trojans suffered a major setback after former captain Justin Corday moved overseas at the end of last season which left them with a huge void to fill in the attacking third.

“Justin was our main goalscorer last season, so it’s not an easy fill, especially when you have young players to fill that gap, but we have made it work,” Ratteray-Smith added.

“You can only work with what you have really and I am confident now with the people that have come in afterwards.”

Trojans have also had to adapt to life without midfielder Simeon Burrows and defender Makai Joell, who joined Premier rivals Devonshire Cougars during the late transfer window, and former coach Scott Morton who stepped down last season for health reasons.