Bermuda 4 Cayman Islands 1 By Jonathan Kent Keishon Smith became Bermuda's second hat-trick hero in the space of three days as the national team set up a Sunday showdown with Cuba for a place in the Caribbean Cup finals.

The Devonshire Colts striker's three goals sparked jubilant scenes at the National Stadium last night as a party atmosphere took over and fans burst into song.

Clyde Best's men came from a goal down to produce a fine display of attacking football, taking their goal tally to 10 in two games, after Wednesday's 6-0 rout of the Bahamas.

True, their task was made easier by the sending off of Caymans defender Colin Rowe three minutes before half-time for a wild tackle when the score was 1-1.

But even with 10 men, the Caribbean side were much tougher, fitter and better-organised opponents than Bahamas and Bermuda had to work diligently to exploit their numerical advantage.

Afterwards, a delighted Smith, with the match ball secured safely under his jersey, said: "I've waited a long time for the chance to play striker and now I've been given it, I've delivered and hopefully I can do that against Cuba too.

"Cuba will be real hard opposition and we've never beaten them, so maybe we can make some history.

"I hope that more people come out on Sunday and support us -- we really need that. Crowds give vibes and tonight, with the fans behind us, everybody picked their game up.'' For Smith, the hat-trick capped a memorable season, after winning the FA Cup and Friendship Trophy in finals at the National Stadium last month.

"I'm 4-0 on the carpet with the two finals and the two internationals and it feels good,''' he added.

Bermuda started off well with Smith's rasping drive being beaten away by Caymans keeper Alfredo Whittaker and Wednesday's four-goal hero Kyle Lightbourne going close with a far-post volley.

But Eric Brown, one of only two survivors from the Caymans side which beat Bermuda in last year's Caribbean Cup, put the visitors ahead against the run of play in the 23rd minute with a perfectly-placed angled drive from the left-hand corner of the penalty area.

Their lead lasted justed seven minutes, the equaliser coming when Smith darted in at the near post to steer a low right-wing cross into the net.

The Caymans' uncompromising tackling earned yellow cards for Carson Fagan, Romeo Thomas and Virgil Seymour in the first 35 minutes, so when Rowe's tardy sliding challenge on Meshach Wade produced a red card from referee Ricardo Valenzuela, it was no surprise.

Smith put Bermuda in front in first-half injury time, after the tireless Wade escaped down the left flank and crossed skillfully with the outside of his right foot for Smith to slide home.

The Caymans clearly regarded Lightbourne as the danger man and their preoccupation with stopping him worked to Smith's adavantage. And a perfect example of how came in the 59th minute, when Wade's low cross was dummied cleverly by Lightbourne, leaving Smith unmarked 12 yards out to gleefully slot home his third.

Bermuda's fourth came 13 minutes later when midfielder Devarr Boyles won the ball himself and raced unchallenged into the penalty area before calmly side-footing past Whittaker.

By now the fans were excited and in fine voice, particularly in the West stand, where a patchy `Mexican wave' sprang up.

Late on, a Lightbourne free-kick curled inches wide and Kentoine Jennings was foiled by Whittaker's save after running half the length of the field.

But Bermuda could not muster the fifth goal they needed to draw level with Cuba on goal difference and so now the equation is simple -- only victory will put Bermuda through to finals in Trinidad next month.

Best said: "We played some nice stuff at times and that's what we are trying to do. If you play attractive soccer, people come out and watch. "The support was a bit better tonight and I love to hear the singing, but we still need a few more people here. But we're playing attractive soccer and once the word gets out, people will come and support us.

"Cuba will be the strongest side we have played in this tournament, but look at Denmark under-23s, we were able to beat them and Cuba are no Denmark.'' Bermuda: D.Adams, S.Burgess, C.Roberts (D.Outerbridge 61), K.Jennings, R.Spence, A.Rahman, D.Boyles (K.Dill 74), M.Wade, K.Smith, K.Lightbourne, D.Robinson (O.Steede 24).

Caymans: A.Whittaker, C.Rowe, R.Thomas, M.Wilks, V.Seymour, C.Fagan (S.Myles 89), L.Ramoon, C.Brown (M.Watler 84), P.Berry (F.McKenzie 73), E.Brown, G.Whittaker.

Men of the match: Keishon Smith (Bermuda); Eric Brown (Caymans) Referee: Ricardo Valenzuela (USA) High achiever: Bermuda's hat-trick hero Keishon Smith leaps to win a header during last night's 4-1 triumph over the Cayman Islands.