Bermuda 0

St. Vincent 3 Any questions as to how Bermuda’s defence would cope in the absence of suspended team skipper Kentoine Jennings were well and truly answered in St. Michael’s, Barbados last night as the Island’s Digicel Cup hopes took a severe beating.

Bermuda showed plenty of determination and character as they took the match their highly-ranked opponents in the opening half.

However, the team’s inability to execute around goal ultimately came back to haunt them as St. Vincent scored three unanswered goals after the half to leave Bermuda in a total state of shock before the several thousand gathered at the National Stadium last night.

Big striker Marlon James put the Caribbean team ahead for good after 58 minutes before strike partner Shandell Samuels completely floored Bermuda’s hopes by converting in the 66th and 77th minutes.

St. Vincent’s clinical finishing proved to be the only difference between the two teams as play was evenly shared and numerous chances created by both.

Yet few would have bet against a heavy Bermuda defeat as Kyle Lightbourne’s men forced their opponents on the defensive from the opening whistle and should have led by at least two clear goals at the half.

Kwame Steede was the first to test the St. Vincent defence in the 15th minute. But his goal-bound effort was saved off the line after an alert John Barry Nusum had intercepted the ball deep inside St. Vincent terrain.

Midfielder Keith Jennings then narrowly failed to get his head to an inviting cross from the right side by an overlapping Kevin Richards, while a perfectly placed Domico Coddington sliced his shot wide from the top of the 18-yard box as Bermuda piled on the pressure.

Deputising team skipper Nusum then missed arguably the best chance of the half when he beat his opposite number Ezra Hendrickson in a foot race, but watched in agony as his delicate lob over the ‘keeper dipped just over an empty net.

Bermuda’s other pro, Khano Smith, brought fans scrambling to their feet when he gained possession of the ball in his own half and then left several defenders in his wake as he darted down the left side. The St. Vincent defence, however, recovered just in time and managed to boot the New England Revolution striker’s intended pass to Nusum in the middle away for a corner — one of four earned by the Island during the first 45 minutes.

These missed chances came back to haunt Bermuda as St.Vincent made the transition from a defensive to an attacking approach and gradually gained momentum — and the upper hand.

The Caribbean team perhaps gave an indication of things to come minutes before half time when they had the ball in the back of the net. But fortunately for Bermuda, who also had ‘keeper Timmy Figureido to thank for keeping them in the match until the break, the goal was disallowed due to shoving in the box.

More than once, Figureido risked his health by bravely saving at the feet of the forceful James, who, along with Samuels and dreadlocked play maker Benford Joseph, created just enough space for themselves up front to work their magic.

Bermuda began the second half as they had the first, coming close to breaking the deadlock.

Nusum again outpaced the St. Vincent defence, but with only the ‘keeper to beat, dragged his shot wide of the upright under hot pursuit.

The Island’s luck then finally ran out as Samuels dribbled his way past two defenders inside the area and slipped a short pass to an unmarked James who scored the easiest of goals from yards out.

With their tails now up, St. Vincent forged further ahead when a defence-splitting pass provided Samuels with a breakaway he superbly finished off by tucking the ball to the right of the advancing ‘keeper.

St. Vincent, who upset defending Digicel Cup champions Jamaica 2-1 in the previous round in Kingston, then rubbed salt into the wound as Samuels capitalised on Logan Alexander’s failed clearance in the box.

It was hardly the result Bermuda were looking for.

And now they must win tomorrow night’s second match against Bahamas if they are to stand any chance of advancing to January’s finals in Trinidad and Tobago.Bermuda: T.Figureido, K.Richards, L.Alexander, S.Lewis, D.Cox, K.Smith, D.Coddington (A.Zuill, 85 mins), K.Steede, K.Jennings (T.Burgess, 62 mins), S.Astwood (B.Bean, 70 mins) , J.Nusum (capt).

St.Vincent & The Grenadines: M.Andrews, W.Charles, C.Delves, A.Douglas (D.Francis, 72 mins), C.Huggins, D.Walker (G.Myers, 80 mins), S.Samuel, B.Joseph, E.Hendrickson (capt), M.James (S.Glynn, 85 mins), K.Velox

Yellow cards: <$>S.Astwood, T.Burgess (Bermuda); C.Delves, C.Huggins (St.Vincent)

Referee: Rudolph Angela (Aruba)

Match Commissioner: <$>Maurice Victoire (Martinique)