One of the most storied rivalries in Bermudian knockout football takes center stage at Wellington Oval this New Year's Day as defending champions Dandy Town Hornets prepare to defend their Friendship Trophy crown against a resurgent North Village Rams.
For the Hornets, the fixture represents a chance to cement their dominance following a clinical 3-0 Semi-Final victory over Devonshire Cougars on Boxing Day.
However, history suggests a formidable psychological hurdle awaits them; in the three previous Friendship Trophy final meetings between these sides, the Rams have emerged victorious with a 4 - 2 victory in 2001, and identical 2-1 scorelines in both the 1996/97 and 2005/06 seasons.
The Hornets will likely rely on their 4-2-3-1 formation, spearheaded by the in-form Dante Leverock and David Jones, both of whom found the net in their last outing. They enter the match with the momentum of being the reigning holders, having already laid down a marker earlier this season with a 2-1 victory over Village to lift the Charity Cup.
The North Village Rams arrive at Wellington Oval looking to add to their rich cup-winning legacy and break the Hornets' grip on the trophy. Under the guidance of coach "Cal Patches Dill," the Rams have shown they can perform under pressure, notably edging past St. George's Colts earlier in the competition.
With a squad boasting the clinical finishing of players like Jonté Smith, who secured their place in the final with a Semi-Final winner, Village will be confident of repeating their historic final triumphs over Town.
As the island’s football fraternity descends on St. George’s for the 2:00 PM kickoff, the stage is set for a New Year's Day classic that will determine if the trophy stays in Pembroke or moves back to Bernard Park.
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