Bermuda 0 Trinidad & Tobago 1

Bermuda learnt a bitter lesson last night, losing by a single strike to Trinidad & Tobago when they should have trounced their guests by at least half-dozen goals.

If they didn't know it before, the Island's footballers certainly know now that goals and not style and fancy footwork count when the final whistle is blown.

The standing ovation accorded the senior side as they left the field at the National Sports Centre was testimony to the fans' appreciation for the heart and soul which Kenny Thompson's men exhibited for the full 90 minutes of the international friendly - even after going a man down with 15 minutes left as skipper and defender Kentoine Jennings was ejected for a vicious left hook to an opponent's face that would have earned Mike Tyson's approval.

Despite this setback and some officiating calls against them which brought the bench to their feet, Bermuda had only themselves to blame for the outcome as they should have put the result beyond doubt in the first half.

For the first 45 minutes they rained terror on Trinidad & Tobago's ‘keeper Kevin Graham and his supporting cast, splitting open the visitors' defence with deft passing, driving runs on either wing and sizzling crosses into the box.

Young Domico Coddington was the architect of many of these initiatives and he combined with Khano Smith and John Barry Nusum on several occasions, if not seizing shooting opportunities himself. Kevin Richards - summoned from college for this assignment - also showed his worth in attack and defence.

Yet, try as they did, Bermuda could not hit the mark. A few balls grazed the crossbar - one actually rolling along it during a goalmouth scramble - while other chances were booted or headed wide or parried to safety by Graham.

Two chances, in particular, had supporters crying out in agony and disbelief. First, Smith, lurking on the back post, met a Coddington cross from the right corner with a header that eluded Graham and the net as the ball bounced on the turf and over the bar.

In the second instance, Ralph Bean Jr received a pass just inside the area and, instead of settling himself for a one-time strike as no-one was marking him, he opted to try and dribble his way to glory and was ultimately dispossessed.

At modest count, Bermuda squandered nine scoring shots before the opposition had their first threatening foray. That came when veteran Angus Eve hit a solid right-footer along the carpet from about ten yards and Bermuda's goalie Troy Hall dived to his right to collect.

Trinidad & Tobago, struggling to come to terms with the pace of the game, were lucky to reach the break with a goal-less stalemate and their disarray was evident as Eve, their captain, quarrelled with his team-mates to get their act together.

The second half - if not an entirely different script - read more to the Caribbean team's liking as they came into reckoning more, though the Bermudians remained purposeful in attack with more close calls in their favour.

Worryingly for the hosts, Hall began seeing more of the action as he was forced to make some desperate and decisive saves as his defenders were caught out occasionally. However, in the 64th minute, Trinidadian striker Cornell Glen collected the ball just outside the area, slightly to the left of the goal, bobbed and weaved past two opponents before smacking a right-footer into the goal, the missile grazing Hall's left hand en route.

That 1-0 scoreline held up until the end though Bermuda continued pressing their claim for what would have been a thoroughly deserved equaliser.

Their cause was not helped when Jennings lost his cool and earned a red card. He and Cyd Grey fell to the ground in a tussle over a corner and Jennings got up and punched his opponent.

This behaviour - and their failure to capitalise on their enterprise and skill - soured a great night for Bermuda football.

“We are pleased with the improvement the team have shown but, once again, it's very disappointing because you can't always speak about playing well without winning and we must find a balance between the two,” acknowledged coach Thompson afterwards.

“We're ecstatic about the overall performance. It was fantastic. We couldn't have asked for any more from the players. It's just that we have the same old problem of putting the ball in the net.

“We created numerous chances and should have won the match quite comfortably. That's the lesson for us in international football. Playing at this level, we can't be so wasteful and expect to win.

“At the same time it's important we don't make mistakes that lead to goals for the other team.”

Thompson commended the likes of Coddington for a sterling effort which he said will give them “a lot of confidence” going into tomorrow night's match.

As for Jennings, the coach noted a player of such experience should know better and should lead by example.

“I'm very disappointed in Kentoine's action. It's very important we learn to cope better mentally and not over-react to situations in the heat of the battle,” said Thompson, adding it was the last thing Bermuda needed having just gone a goal down.

Bermuda: T.Hall, K.Richards, K.Jennings, S.Burgess (R.Swan, 53 mins), S.Lewis, O.Steede, C.Moulder (J.Jennings, 39 mins), D.Coddington, K.Smith (J.Peniston, 73 mins), R.Bean Jr (R.Simons, 61 mins), J.Nusum.

Trinidad & Tobago: K.Graham, D.King, A.Elcock, A.Pierre, T.Noel (C.Smith, 58 mins), C.Grey, S.Mason, A.Eve, T.Mulraine, A.Whitley (G.McKenna, 87 mins), C.Glen.

Sent off: K.Jennings (Bermuda, 75 mins).

Booked: C.Grey, C.Glen, T.Mulraine (Trinidad & Tobago).

Men of the Match: D.Coddington (Bermuda); K.Graham (Trinidad & Tobago).

Referee: L.Raynor.