THE Old Fort Hockey Club will be seeking to turn the tables on Hikers when the two teams meet this afternoon at 16:45 h at the GCC ground, in a second round fixture of the 2009 Farfan and Mendes Division One tournament.

The last time these two teams met (last Friday); Hikers, the defending champions, came from one goal down to emerge winners by a 2-1 margin through goals from Robert Fernandes and Jerazeno Bell in the 33rd and 35th minutes respectively.

Askofu Simon had opened Old Fort’s account in the 8th minute of the game.

This afternoon, however, Hikers will have other ideas as they will be seeking to extend their lead in the points standing.

Hikers are currently sharing the top position in the points standing with GCC, as both teams have four points from a win (three points) and a draw each, while Old Fort are pointless after two matches.

Two Fridays ago, Old Fort played a good brand of hockey but was unfortunate to have lost that match against GCC by a 1-2 margin.

Hikers, on the other hand, held joint points leaders GCC to a 2-2 draw to secure one point in a first round fixture then edged Old Fort 2-1 last week.

For today’s match, Hikers’ starting lineup is expected to be the same that started on Friday last and will include strikers Robert France and Shaquille Assanah, midfielders Alex Gouveia and Randy Hope, centre midfielders Devin Hooper and Shane Samuels, first stopper Jerazano Bell, Brian Asregado, Robert Fernandes and Sheldon Corlette in the defence.

Responding for Old Fort will be John Abrams who enjoyed a good game last Friday but was unfortunate not to score and Askofu Simon on the strike line, Dexter Wyles, Dwayne Allen, Chris Lowe and Jason DeSantos in the midfield and Wayne St Jules, Dwight Sullivan, Ivor Thompson and Aderemi Simon in the defence.

Mikael Smith will perform duties between the upright.

Since 2007, Hikers has not been beaten in an outdoor match and they will be looking to keep their track record in tact with another victory this afternoon.

Old Fort therefore will have to rely heavily on their seasoned players to get past the powerful Hikers and whether they can achieve this feat or not is left to be seen. Only time will tell. (Michael DaSilva)