Bermuda and Barbados drew 0-0 in an entertaining contest at the Usain Bolt Stadium in Barbados yesterday.

Bermuda had the better chances in the international friendly but were let down by poor finishing. Justin Donawa, one of four changes coach Kyle Lightbourne made from the team that lost 3-2 to Antigua and Barbuda four days earlier, was among the chief culprits as he squandered two clear opportunities in the first half.

“We had many chances to put the game out of sight but didn’t take them,” Reggie Lambe, the Bermuda captain, told The Royal Gazette. “But the main goal for us in this match was to firstly keep a clean sheet, which we did.

“All in all, it’s a positive result to build from. It’s a step in the right direction.”

Bermuda were looking to avenge a 3-2 defeat to Barbados at the National Stadium last October. But it was the home side who nearly drew first blood five minutes in from a set piece. Barbados won a corner and from the ensuing kick had a header cleared off the line.

Bermuda stretched the home side with their ball movement and grew in confidence with each foray into the final third.

They should have taken the lead in the 33rd minute. Cecoy Robinson picked out Donawa with a defence-splitting pass but with only the goalkeeper to beat the latter dragged his effort wide. Donawa broke through again minutes later after Barbados were caught in possession, but hurried his shot and sent the ball over the bar.

Jahquil Hill, the Bermuda goalkeeper, had a relatively quiet first half but was called upon to gather a free kick, which he conceded for straying outside of his box. In the second half, Hill did well to block a fiercely struck shot from inside the area. An attempt from the rebound hit a defender and went for a corner.

Barbados dominated possession for a long spell before substitute Zeiko Lewis came off the bench to inject some life into Bermuda’s attack.

He nearly made the breakthrough with his first touch with a shot deflected for a corner.

Bermuda threatened again when defender Jaylon Bather found himself in space behind the Barbados defence but had the ball gathered at his feet by the goalkeeper.

Substitute Lejuan Simmons looked to have done enough to clinch it for Bermuda when he chipped the goalkeeper. But the home side’s defence recovered well to ward off the threat.

Teams

Bermuda (4-5-1): J Hill — D Brangman, J Bather, N Griffith, D Usher — L Evans, M Warren (sub: O Bascome, 79min), R Lambe, J Donawa (sub: Z Lewis, 68), W Clemons — C Robinson (sub: L Simmons, 59)

Substitutes not used: K Bean, C Castle, Q Hunt, K Crichlow. Booked: Usher.