Bermuda 1 St Lucia 2

Bermuda’s struggles in the Concacaf Nations League continued after suffering their fifth straight defeat against group leaders St Lucia at the Stade Roger Zami in Guadeloupe this afternoon.

St Lucia prevailed on a brace from forward Shevon Byron, while captain Ne-Jai Tucker pulled one back for the Gombey Warriors, who remain rooted at the bottom of the Group B League B standings with no points and one match left to play in the regional competition.

Bermuda coach John Barry Nusum praised his players’ work ethic but felt they could have been more courageous with the ball at their feet.

“The team worked extremely hard and defensively applied themselves well,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“Transitions were less of a threat for them due to our shape, but I will say that I hoped we would be a bit braver in possession of the ball. Too many times we rushed and were not able to maintain a flow in the match.

“After yesterday’s result [relegation to Group C] we were looking for character in our group and which players would fight for the badge, and they gave all the effort that we could ask for.”

Adding to Bermuda’s disappointment was the loss of central defender Harry Twite to injury just past the hour mark. And it now remains unclear whether he will be fit for the Gombey Warriors’ final group match against hosts Guadeloupe on Monday.

“We will see of how Harry recovers, but hopefully he will be ready for Monday,” Nusum said.

St Lucia beat Bermuda 5-2 in the first encounter between the two countries in the previous Fifa international window and were deserved winners again having dominated possession and fired off more shots on goal.

Bermuda were forced to chase the game when forward Shevon Byron drilled defender Arkell Jude-Boyd’s corner into the roof of the net from close range in the sixth minute to give St Lucia the early lead.

Bryon then brought off a save from Bermuda goalkeeper Jahquil Hill who had a busy afternoon between the sticks, while team-mate Janoi Donacien had a shot on target blocked by centre-back Jorj Dublin.

Hill was called into action again to deny Byron while at the other end recalled Bermuda midfielder Willie Clemons produced the island’s first effort on goal in first half stoppage time, which was saved by St Lucia goalkeeper Vino Barclett. It proved to be Clemons’ last act as he was replaced by Riley Robinson at the half.

Bermuda came out swinging after the restart and took only three minutes to finally break St Lucia’s resistance. Donacien was blown for a foul and Bermuda forward and captain Tucker scored from the resulting free-kick to bring the teams level.

At this point it was game on, but the Gombey Warriors fell behind for the second time of the match after Byron restored St Lucia’s lead six minutes later with a header from close range.

Bermuda then suffered another setback when Twite went off injured and was replaced by Julian Carpenter.

Hill was called into action again to deny St Lucia midfielder Shaquan Nelson and defender Christian Forino.

Bermuda pressed hard for an equaliser in the closing minutes with winger Djair Parfitt-Williams having a shot blocked by Donacien, while substitute Ben Osset brought off a save from Barclett and had another effort thwarted by defender and team captain Terell Thomas as St Lucia held on for the win to replace Barbados at the top of the standings.

The Gombey Warriors were relegated from League B Group B with two games left to play after hosts Guadeloupe came away with a resounding 3-0 win over Barbados at the same venue 24 hours earlier.

The result means Bermuda will play in the lowest tier of the regional competition next year.

Scorers

Bermuda: Tucker 48

St Lucia: Byron 6, 54

TEAMS

Bermuda: J Hill — L Robinson, J Dublin, H Twite, L Jimenez, L Outerbridge, N Tucker, W Clemons, B Borgesson, D Parfit-Williams, E Russell.

St Lucia: V Barclett- A Boyd, T Thomas, C Forino, S Nelson, K Frederick, J Donacien, D Phillip, R Hackett-Fairchild, S Byron, K Caull

Referee: R de Leça