It proved to be a disappointing double header in the US for Bermuda Hogges who opened their season with a pair of defeats to leave them bottom of the league table, writes Stephen Wright.

Hogges went down 3-2 against Real Maryland Monarchs on Saturday night, their second defeat in the space of a gruelling 48 hours after losing their USL-D2 curtain raiser against Crystal Palace Baltimore 2-0.

Compounding coach Kyle Lightbourne's woes is a potential goalkeeper crisis with first choice Timmy Figureido twisting his knee against Palace, while his replacement Jason Williams was sent off against Monarchs.

Monarchs, now coached by Anthony Hudson, the former Wilmington Hammerheads assistant and son of ex-Chelsea legend Alan Hudson, were two goals up by the half hour mark on Saturday thanks to Sean Rush and Tom Taylor.

Stevie Astwood then saw a penalty-kick saved but made amends for his miss by scoring Hogges' first goal of the new season after good work by winger Lashun Dill before half-time. Jamie Holmes restored Monarchs' two-goal advantage to leave Hogges with a mountain to climb, although Domico Coddington did give them hope when he struck soon after.

However, any chance of a revival soon diminished when 'keeper Williams received his marching orders late on for a rash challenge after Monarchs had hit Hogges on the break team.

Midfielder Keith Jennings filled in between the sticks with Figureido unable to play because of the injury he picked up against Palace the previous night.

It's believed Figureido's injury is not serious but he is a doubt for this week's match against Harrisburg City Islanders.

Hogges had to make do without defensive lynchpins Omar Shakir and Kevin Richards who were unable to travel due to other commitments, but Lightourne did hand debuts to Tokia Russell, Keston Lewis, Antwon Russell and Jamie Smith.

Former Hogges player John Barry Nusum made his debut for new club Crystal Palace Baltimore coming on as a second half substitute against his old team in Friday's curtain raiser.

Hogges are next in action on Friday in their first home match of the campaign against Harris burg City Islanders at the National Sports Centre at 7 p.m.