Bermuda Hogges 0

Cleveland City Stars 0

The form book suggested they were in for a darn good pasting, but a bullish, determined display from the Bermuda Hogges last night against the Cleveland City Stars proved that league tables don’t always tell the full story.

Unrecognisable from the meek, tentative side that took to the field in April for their first United Soccer League clash, Kyle Lightbourne’s men played with aggression and no little style last night against the league’s second-best team — who looked somewhat shell-shocked by the quality of the Hogges’ play.

Particularly in an inspired opening 45 minutes, the home team had the opposition on the ropes for long periods and unlike the early days, were more than a match for Cleveland in terms of both skill and physicality.

But while team owners Lightbourne, Shaun Goater and Paul Scope are sure to be pleased by this team’s very obvious improvement, even they must be prepared to admit that the Hogges should have collected all three points at the National Sports Centre given the number of chances they carved out over the course of the 90 minutes.

Lloyd Holder (twice), Kwame Steede and second-half substitute Raymond Beach (twice) were all guilty of missing the target with the goal at their mercy — with the animated frustration of the coaches on the sidelines clear for all to see.

Making his debut for the Hogges last night was pacey wing-back Kevin Richards, who has returned home to live after an extended spell working for Ace in the UK.

His presence gave the Hogges a penetrative attacking dimension down the right flank, and particularly when linking up with franchise player Damon Ming (who gave the Cleveland back line plenty of trouble with his intelligent runs and crosses) provided enough evidence to suggest that he will be a permanent fixture in the team once fully fit.

Speaking after the game last night, Scope admitted the players now truly believe they belong in the USL, adding he is hopeful that will translate into more wins in the last third of the season.

“The difference between the beginning of the season and now is huge,” he said.

“We’re a lot more competitive, we can cope physically, we’re winning a lot of 50-50 balls and causing a few more problems with our attacking play.

“Cleveland are the second-placed team in the league, so given the season we’ve had so far anything other than a defeat is something to be celebrated. But if we’d shown a little bit more composure in front of goal tonight we definetly could have won the game.

“Kwame, Lloyd and Raymond all missed chances they normally bury in local league games and I think that comes with being a little anxious and inexperienced at this level.

“But there’s no doubt we’re headed in the right direction and hopefully in the last third of the season we can start turning good performances into three points.”

The scoreless draw takes Hogges to eight points for the season from 14 games — leaving them bottom of the table by two points from the New Hampshire Phantoms and the Cincinnati Kings.

Bermuda Hogges> T.Figureido, R.Wilson, D.Zuill, D.Ming (L.Dill 68), O.Shakir, R.Bean, K.Steede, L.Holder (R.Beach 50), J.Tucker (M.Parsons 68), S.Simmons, K.Richards (J.Peniston 45)

Cleveland City StarsB.Hunter, D.McGregor, R.Junge, D.Potteiger, J.Cummings, M.Schulte, C.Lemons, J.Tolleson, L.Williams, J. De Vae, R.Gilstrap

Booked: T.Figureido, D.Ming, L.Dill, K.Steede