Bermuda Hogges 0

Crystal Palace Baltimore 1

They may have suffered their first set-back on home soil this season, but Hogges' bellicose display against one of the league's so-called powerhouses was packed with significant positives.

Considering the quality among Crystal Palace Baltimore's well-stocked ranks, Hogges' performance at the National Sports Centre on Saturday may have even eclipsed the successive victories that preceded this narrow defeat.

For they more than held their own against a team who inflicted a painful 8-1 drubbing upon them less than 12-months ago, a team undefeated and still yet to concede so season.

Because had it not been for the soft, and ultimately decisive, penalty conceded courtesy of a Stevie Astwood handball, then Hogges may well have managed a share of the spoils.

Indeed, the defensive mettle exhibited against Palace's potent and pacey front-line suggests Hogges have finally developed a steely reserve about them and have very little to fear from this, their sophomore season.

Coach Kyle Lightbourne believed the fixture would always provide an early indication of how far Hogges had progressed this term and said he was satisfied with his side's showing.

"I thought it was an even contest and neither 'keeper was particularly busy. They didn't out-play us, or out-muscle us and we matched them stride for stride for long periods.

"We're disappointed to lose and the penalty was the difference. To concede so early against a team like Palace was a massive blow and it was always going to be difficult from then on. But we can take heart from our performance and we will bounce back."

Hogges were trailing as early as the fourth minute when Ibrahim Kante dispatched his spot-kick past 'keeper Timmy Figuerido.

But they didn't panic and exerting some early pressure of their own with Damon Ming grazing the post with a rasping left-foot drive.

In truth, neither side were demonstrating much in the way of attacking cutting edge and the second-half continued in a similar fashion.

Keishen Bean went closest for the Hogges, firing wide after some glorious individual play.

At the other end the imperious Kofi Dill executed an inch-perfect sliding tackle to thwart the dangerous Gary Brooks.

Hearts were in mouths on 75 minutes when Palace's Cecil Lewsi exploited the time and space Johnny Ball generously gave him, before delivering a low cross that required just the faintest of touches.

Hogges searched for a late equaliser but their final ball lacked precision.

Bermuda Hogges

T.Figuerido, K. Richards, J.Ball, K.Dill,

O.Shakir, S.Astwood (J. Scott 40), S.DeGraff

(L.Dill 80), K.Steede, J.Barry Nusum (L.Holder

80), K.Bean (R.Bean 80), D.Ming

Subs N.Burgess, D.Cox, S.Darrell

Crystal Palace Baltimore

M.Nelson, P. Robson, A.Marshall, I.Kante,

H.Shintaro, A.Mbuta, I.Ughiovhe, B.Harkin (A.

Ughiovhe 74), V.Teixeira (P.Healey 70) C.Lewis,

G.Brooks

Subs S.Flores, M.Lookingland, H.Urquijo,

C.Morales, D.Lader, B.Rowland

Goals

I.Kante 4, (penalty) (Crystal Palace Balti

more)

Man-of-the-match

J.Barry Nusum (Bermuda Hogges)