Goater Urges Parish To Continue Hot Streak
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Sergio Goater, the Hamilton Parish coach, has urged his side to continue their fine run of form as they prepare for their Friendship Trophy quarter-final against St George’s at Lord’s in St David’s on Sunday [December 17].
Parish won their fourth straight Premier Division match on Friday night, beating Somerset Trojans 2-0 at Somerset Cricket Club to climb to fourth in the table.
It resembles a remarkable turnaround for Parish, who took just one point from their opening five league games.
“We didn’t start the season well,” Goater told Bernews. “There was a bit of a hangover from the past two seasons, which were pretty successful.
“Our pre-season didn’t go well, and it didn’t help that our first few games were up against some of the top teams [including a 6-1 defeat away to PHC Zebras].
“We’re still missing a few players because of injury like Aaron Nelson [shoulder] while some of our younger players are away at school.”
Goater admits his team’s ambitions have completely shifted following their winning streak.
“Winning is a habit, and the vibe is back in the dressing room,” said Goater, who served as the Bermuda Under-23 assistant coach at the NatWest International Island Games in Guernsey last summer.
“The numbers are good in training, and we’re reaping the rewards of our hard work. When we were losing, you start hearing relegation talk, and you’re like, ‘No, no, no, this can’t be’.
“Now the players have the bit between their teeth and striving for another successful season.”
Goater, who led Parish to the First Division title in 2021-22, said he hopes the club can become a mainstay in the top flight and believes they can challenge this term for the first significant piece of silverware in their history.
“I don’t want us to be one of those teams that come up one year and go down the next,” said Goater, whose side finished fifth last season.
“It will take years for us to become a powerhouse like the PHCs and Villages, but I want us to be in the conversation.
“We have some players returning over Christmas like Diego Richardson and recently signed Jalen Commissiong.
“Parish has never won anything major at this level, so there’s a carrot dangling in front of the players. They could become legends!”
