Bermuda Hogges might not have been rewarded the victory their outstanding performance warranted against visiting Western Mass Pioneers at the National

Sports Centre (NSC) on Tuesday night. But a hard-fought 2-2 draw against their American rivals provided further proof that the local semi-pro outfit are fast adapting to life among the United Soccer League (USL) Division Two ranks.

For the second straight week the Hogges were able to hold their own against highly fancied opposition and with better finishing might have celebrated a third win of the season ¿ and second on home soil.

The hosts demonstrated plenty of resolve after falling behind to two early soft goals to come storming back with a fired-up Kevin Richards leading the charge with a memorable performance that galvanised the Hogges' revival.

The overlapping full-back unlocked the Pioneers' defence and supplied the cross which was eventually slammed home on the rebound by the opportunistic Ralph Bean jr and then in spectacular fashion whipped in the Hogges' second from the top of the 18-yard box to earn the hosts a share of the spoils before another appreciative crowd at the Sports Centre.

"That was certainly one of the best goals that I've scored in a while. I was actually looking to cross with my first touch but there was no one near me.

"I had the space to take it in closer to make sure I hit the target, and luckily it all went well," the 25-year-old said.

"I was very pleased with my performance and hopefully I can take advantage of every opportunity I get."

Tuesday night's encounter was only Richards' second appearance for the Hogges after joining the team earlier this month.

"He certainly finished it well and it was nice to see it go in," commented Hogges coach Kyle Lightbourne. "Kevin has loads of energy and we all know what he can do."

Like many, Lightbourne also thought his team should have come away with maximum points against the Pioneers who raced to a 2-0 first-half lead.

"I actually thought we started the match well and so to find ourselves down 2-0 was quite strange," he said. "I didn't think we defended well against those two set pieces. But I thought we played well throughout the match and controlled most of the game."

Never one to blow his own trumpet, Richards heaped praise on his team-mates for the manner in which they clawed their way back into contention after falling in arrears.

"I thought we let in two strange goals but were able to bounce back and actually push for a third goal which unfortunately didn't come," he said.

"But I think we now have belief in ourselves and in our ability and it is beginning to show."

Richards was just one of many outstanding individual performances on the night as just about every player on the Hogges' roster pulled their own weight and rose to meet the challenge.

Having now completed their home schedule for the season, Hogges turn their attention overseas where they will play their remaining five-matches of the 2007 campaign starting on Saturday in Baltimore against a Crystal Palace Baltimore squad that edged them 2-1 at the NSC last week.

The Hogges depart for Baltimore tomorrow.

With Tuesday's showing to build upon, Richards now hopes he and his team-mates can continue turning heads in the division and finish their inaugural season in the USL on firm footing.

"Hopefully we do well in our last games so that we can use them as a springboard for next season," he said. "So it's very important that we keep focused on these last few matches and try and get the most from them."

lThe would like to apologise for an error which appeared in our Bermuda Hogges match report on Wednesday, July 24. In the article it was claimed that Domico Coddington scored the equalising goal for the Hogges. This was incorrect as it was in fact Kevin Richards, who was wearing Coddington's number 19 jersey that night. We apologise for any embarrassment the error caused to either player.