Bermuda Hogges 0

Ironbound Express 1

Another frustrating home defeat for Bermuda Hogges, another costly defensive error and another first half goal from Ironbound Express midfielder Frank Alesci.

Hogges' coach Scott Morton could have been forgiven for believing he was starring in his very own version of 1980s movie classic Groundhog Day after watching his side slump to their third straight PDL loss yesterday at BAA Field.

Just as they did on Friday, Express scored the only goal of the game courtesy of some slack defending before pulling down the proverbial shutters to secure a clean sweep from their double-header against the Hogges.

On this occasion it was Darius Cox, rather than Roger Lee, who failed to clear the danger with his weak header dropping invitingly into the path of Alesci who burst through on goal before drilling a low shot past a helpless Freddy Hall.

Hogges, without the suspended Nahki Wells, had hitherto enjoyed the superior swathes of possession but without ever threatening the goal of Ryan Meara who was still sporting a bandage to protect the head gash he sustained during Friday's match.

The second half took an a similar complexion to the first with Hogges keeping the ball well in their own third of the pitch but never looking completely convincing when approaching the Express box. Even when they began to slightly bare their teeth as they went in desperate pursuit of a point they were guilty of some blunt finishing with Keishen Bean blazing over from a glorious goalscoring opportunity.

Morton was not overly downbeat after the game but admitted his team needed to develop a more ruthless edge in both defence and attack.

"I want it make sure we put this result in perspective because (Express) are a good side," said Morton.

"It was frustrating for us but we have to keep believing in ourselves.

"We have to start taking our opportunities and cut out the mistakes that we make to give them their opportunities."

Hogges are back on the road later this week with three games in the United States.

On Friday they face Hampton Piranhas, before taking on Reading United on Sunday. They wrap up their away trip with a match against Northern Virginia Royals next Tuesday.

Bermuda Hogges: F.Hall, D.Cox (A.Gibbons, 77) M.Waldron, D.Tankard, J.Bather (E.Signor, 81) S.Darrell, D.Ming, K.Bean, A.Simmons (T.Tucker, 76) T.Walker (S.Hollis, 76) T.Burgess (Q.Maynard, 80)

Substitutes not used: T.Bell, R.DeShields

Ironbound Express: R.Meara, M.Mashriqi, M.Konicoff, K.Grato, J.Trott, H.Nieble (K.Etienne, 75), J.Laventure, A.Konopelsky, F.Alesci, S.Recklett, C.Dennen

Substitutes not used: K.Meyer, R.Rodrigues, M.Mazzullo, J.Sallhag, M.Druzo

Goals: Alesci, 40

Yellow cards: Laventure, Grato

Man-of-the-match: Dennen (Express)