If last Friday night?s victory by Bermuda?s Under-20 national team over triple crown winners North Village is anything to go by, then the Island?s international football future appears to be heading in the right direction.

The youngsters, coached by senior national coach Kyle Lightbourne, edged Village 2-1 at the National Sports Centre in a benefit match for former PHC Zebras player Marishcal (Mop) Astwood.

Lightbourne?s men used the occasion to help prepare for a Caribbean Football Union (CFU) tournament slated for July in the US Virgin Islands.

Bermuda have been placed in Group One along with British Virgin Islands, Bahamas and the hosts with the eventual group winners advancing to the next phase of the competition.

While Lightbourne was generally pleased with the manner in which his charges executed their game plan, the former English pro refused to get carried away with the outcome against a Village team who hadn?t trained or competed since clinching a fifth FA Cup in the past seven seasons and a first triple crown since 1978.

?I guess it was always going to be difficult for a team that hasn?t been training like North Village,? Lightbourne said. ?They basically just showed up and did us a favour by participating in the match. Most of our guys have been training regularly and so obviously they were a little bit sharper and fitter than the North Village players.

?I wouldn?t get carried away with the result because I know we played against a team that hadn?t trained. That win just showed a bit of promise for the youngsters who weren?t frightened to go out there and play.?

Bermuda prevailed on first half goals from Shayne Hollis and Jahnai Watson, while Village ? who had a Ralph Bean jr penalty saved by ?keeper Mikkail Crockwell ? replied through Bermuda Football Association 2005-06 MVP Keith Jennings.

?During the first half I thought the Under-20s were quite competitive and not afraid to pass the ball around. We certainly have a lot of talent to work with,? Lightbourne added.

Giving his assessment of the team?s overall performance, Lightbourne said he was satisfied with the manner in which the players had made the transition from defending to attacking, sprayed the ball around the park, ran into open spaces and took their chances in front of goal.

?I thought we showed a lot of guts and determination during the second half,? he added.

He took particular pleasure in the individual contributions of sweeper Ijahmon Mallory, team captain Keishen Bean and diminutive forward Hollis.

Lightbourne explained: ?Our goal was to try out various tactics when we had possession of the ball and also when we didn?t have possession of the ball.

?And everybody knew exactly what their roles were and what to look for whenever they got into certain positions.?

The Under-20s took an early lead when Village ?keeper Zane Hendrickson was dispossessed in the box, leaving Hollis the simple task of slotting the ball into an empty net.

Yet before the dust had settled, Keith Jennings popped up at the near post where he squeezed a firmly driven shot between the ?keeper and upright.

However, the Island?s youngsters were not done just yet as Watson capitalised on another ?keeping blunder on the part of Hendrickson to put them ahead for good. Village then failed to equalise from the penalty spot after the break.

Part of the team?s success could be attributed to Bean?s presence in midfield.

?We had him playing a little bit deeper because without players such as Thomas Watson and Chris Frick we looked a bit light in midfield,? Lightbourne said.

?We needed someone in midfield not afraid to put their foot on the ball and try and boss the game. And as far as Shayne (Hollis) is concerned . . . I think Village have done a great job with him. He is certainly one for the future.

?He is quick, has an eye for goal and for his size is not afraid to have a go at players.?

Currently the Under-20s are training three times a week at the NSC under Lightbourne and assistant Paul Scope.

They will lock horns with Somerset Trojans in another practice match tomorrow night at the NSC.

?Hopefully we can arrange a couple more games for the players,? the coach added.