Bermuda Hogges 0

Richmond Kickers 2

Talk is notoriously cheap in football — but Bermuda Hogges should take some solace from the post-match musings of Richmond Kickers coach Leigh Cowlishaw.

“All things considered we would’ve have been more than content with a point,” he conceded after watching unbeaten Kickers notch their eighth win of the season, a hard-fought two-nil defeat of Kyle Lightbourne’s men at the National Stadium on Saturday night.

Now considering they were taking on the league’s basement dwellers — a team they so easily dismantled 4-0 the previous week — his frank admission deserves dissecting.

Because this was a near full-strength Kickers team, a team that’s dropped four points all season, a team widely accepted as the league’s standout outfit.

And yet for 66 minutes the winless Hogges made high-flying Kickers look, well ... quite ordinary.

Considering they entered the encounter still licking wounds inflicted from five straight defeats, the Hogges would have been forgiven for feeling lower than the proverbial snakes belly.

Maybe co-owner Paul Scope’s Churchillian pre-battle rhetoric of “We have nothing to lose” had its desired effect on the troops, or maybe the Hogges just don’t believe they deserve to be stuck in the no-man’s land they currently occupy.

On this performance they certainly challenged the age-old footballing adage that suggests, “The league table never lies,” — as aside from the Kickers’ goals it was difficult to differentiate title challengers from whipping boys.

Defending deep so as to swallow up space available for jet-healed Robert Ssejjemba, and with ‘keeper Timmy Figureido a virtual spectator, Hogges could have easily gone into half time leading.

No one epitomised their performance more than Jared Pensition, who may not have the elegance of Kwame Steede, nor the quick feet of Damon Ming, but does possess a tremendous appetite for hard work and nearly put the Hogges ahead with a rasping 25-yard volley which was acrobatically tipped over by Ronnie Pascale.

The second-half saw the Kickers up the ante — but still the Hogges defence held firm with Omar Shakir once again in commanding form.

But old habits seem to die hard, and on 66 minutes the Kickers broke the Hogges’ hearts with a long ball that was flicked on into the path of the scheming Mike Burke to hammer home.

Immediately, the Hogges pushed for the equaliser with both Ming and Steede going close — but on 70 minutes David Bulow doubled the Kickers’ advantage after blasting the ball over the despairing Figureido.

Coach Kyle Lightbourne, who introduced himself late on, singled out midfielder Clevon Hill for special praise and said he couldn’t criticise his team’s promising display.

“We played a lot better than last time we met the Kickers and I was pleased with our effort,” he said.

“My only disappointment is the fact we were caught out by another long ball for their first goal — it keeps happening.

“I didn’t feel there was anything in the game before they scored. If anything we were in control as I can’t remember them really hurting us.

“I thought Clevon Hill was outstanding for us in midfield and our man of the match. I was also pleased that we managed to keep Robert Ssjjemba subdued.

“But we still lost so I can’t say I am overly-pleased although I have to say we played well.”

Meanwhile, the Hogges play host to fellow strugglers New Hampshire Phantoms tonight who have won just one game all season. They arrive in Bermuda on the back of a 2-0 home defeat against Harrisburg City Islanders and Kyle Lightbourne reckons his players should take heart from their performance against Kickers.

“It was an encouraging display and should ensure we go into tonight’s game with confidence — it’s another chance for us to get a victory,” he added.

Kick-off is at 7.30 p.m. at the National Stadium.

Improving Hogges lose to Kickers