Tahj Bell is out to prove to his detractors wrong.

The North Village goalkeeper came in for criticism after being chosen as the Premier Division Goalkeeper of the Year at the Bermuda Football Association awards ceremony at CedarBridge Academy in April.

Bell feels he deserves such accolades and is determined to use the criticism as an added incentive this season.

“I have to be at my best because of all of the criticism I got last year,” Bell said. “I can’t be complacent this season because I want to win [the award] again to prove a point.

“A lot of people said I didn’t deserve the best goalkeeper award and were upset that Jason Simons [Robin Hood] did not win it instead.”

Bell, the son of late Hotels International defender Derek Bell and brother of Bermuda Under-20 goalkeeper Detre Bell, has picked up where he left off last season, keeping clean sheets in Village’s first two games.

He also saved a penalty in Village’s 4-0 demolition of Somerset Trojans in a Dudley Eve Trophy group A match.

“It’s a good start and everything at Village is positive,” said Bell, who was also nominated for the Premier Division Most Valuable Player Award last season.

Village finished on top of their group in the Dudley Eve Trophy and face holders Devonshire Cougars in the semi-finals at a venue yet to be determined on November 2.

Bell and his team-mates have a score to settle with Cougars.

“Cougars are one of the only teams last season that beat us,” Bell said.

“The times they beat us they ended up winning trophies, so we are going to be coming for Cougars.”

Before joining Village, Bell had a spell with English non-League team Hitching Town.

Bell is a busy man behind the scenes at Bernard Park these days as he also serves as the club’s youth goalkeeper coach.

“It feels good to help inspire the next generation,” said the 26-year-old.

Village are at home to Boulevard on Sunday in their Premier Division opener.

Robin Hood begin the defence of their first league title when they host Dandy Town, the team they dethroned as champions, at Goose Gosling Field on Saturday at 9pm.

In Sunday’s other matches, Flanagan’s Onions host PHC at Goose Gosling Field while promoted sides X-Roads and Young Men’s Social Club will both be in action against Devonshire Cougars and Somerset Trojans at Garrison Field and Police Field, respectively.

Quincy Paynter, who led Social Club back to the top flight after 37 years, has stepped down as coach for personal reasons.

In the First Division, promotion hopefuls Southampton Rangers play Devonshire Colts, who suffered relegation last season, at Police Field.

Meanwhile Somerset Eagles host St David’s at White Hill Field, Paget Lions meet Hamilton Parish at Southampton Oval, and St George’s face Wolves at Wellington Oval.

BAA meet Ireland Rangers in Saturday’s opener at Goose Gosling Field.