A spectacular hat-trick from the lethal boot of Jamie Holmes erased any thoughts Kyle Lightbourne might have had of celebrating a maiden triumph at the helm of the national team on local soil.

Aided by a flat-footed Bermuda defence, Holmes grabbed a leaf from the book of famous namesake ? former heavyweight champion boxer Larry Holmes ? to land crushing blows in the 31st, 43rd and 68th minutes at the National Sports Centre last night.

During an impressive opening half display of football, Bermuda twice lead through goals ? both against the run of play ? from Khano Smith and Domico Coddington.

However, after the break, the local team appeared to lose their way, allowing the Revolution to take full command and press home the issue.

Often the local side were completely exposed at the back, particularly down the right side where Blenn Bean endured a nightmare up against the sheer resilience of New England forwards Connally Edozien and Ryan Latham.

Revolution captain and main playmaker Shalrie Joseph must have touched every blade of grass and had a hand in every play, orchestrating things beautifully in the middle of the park.

The final scoreline, however, did the visiting team little justice as they clearly dictated the tempo of the match for long spells, gradually stretched the local side out of shape and created enough chances to blow the host team clean off the carpet.

That they didn't score more, owed much to Bermuda custodian Timmy Figureido who was called upon on many occasions to make clutch saves to deny the ravaging Revolution attack, particularly in the second half when it seemed as though they had things all their way.

Bermuda defenders Kofi Dill and Maurice Lowe also executed some timely tackles to spare their team further blushes.

From the outset both teams quickly adapted to a physical approach in an attempt to grasp the early initiative. And as early as the fifth minute, the Revolution must have realised they were in for a dogfight when Kevin Richards' free kick found Shaun Goater, pictured, with his back to goal. The returning Reading striker turned nicely on a dime but sliced his shot weakly into the arms of 'keeper Matt Reis.

Having dodged the bullet, Revolution shifted up a gear and began to milk the right side of the pitch with deadly effect.

Holmes should have done better during a quick raid, but he completely miskicked Joseph's defence-splitting pass with Figureido at his mercy.

The six-foot striker must have then left an imprint on the chest of Figureido when he let fly from 25 yards with a shot that nearly sent the 'keeper spiralling into the back of the net with the ball.

But all the Revolution's hard earned work came undone at the seams with Goater finally making his presence felt in an outstanding build up involving four players.

Bermuda captain Lionel Furbert won possession of the ball in midfield and slipped a short pass to Kwame Steede. Steede then found Goater who slid the ball behind the defence to a free Coddington whose accurate cross in the middle was side-footed home by Smith from four yards.

Obviously the goal did much for Bermuda's confidence, but it also seemed to awaken the sleeping giant as New England now pressed forward with more purpose and continued to find the right side of the pitch pristine hunting ground.

Just when it appeared as though Bermuda would hold on to their lead at the break, Holmes struck the first of three telling blows of the night ? all without warning.

Again Joseph had a say in the matter, threading a pass to Feliz Brillant who found Holmes lurking all alone in the deep. With ample time to pick his spot, Holmes beat Figureido at the near post with a powerful drive that thundered into the back of the net.

New England's joy, however, was shortlived as Goater again made his presence felt in the middle of the park. Schooling Joseph with a body fake the dreadlocked player will perhaps long remember, Goater sped from midfield and fed Coddington who slipped the ball under the advancing 'keeper to restore Bermuda's lead.

But evidently earlier lessons were not learned as the local defence stood frozen as Holmes again beat Figureido at the near post following a quickly taken free kick to send the two teams into the break tied at two apiece.

When play resumed, it was simply a case of one way traffic as New England's physical sharpness and off-the-ball running stretched Bermuda out of shape, providing ample space for the likes of Latham, Brillant, Edozien, Joseph and Holmes to continue on working their magic and keeping Figureido busy between the uprights for the remainder of the match.

Bermuda were also guilty of repeatedly turning the ball over while up front chances were reduced to a trickle.

And with less then 25 minutes to go, Holmes just barely completed his superb treble with a strike from point-blank range which gave Figureido absolutely no chance.

It nearly didn't happen, as only moments before icing the coveted hat-trick, substitute Luke Vercollone was supposed to have replaced Holmes. But the late sub was ordered to remove rings from his fingers by officials, providing Holmes one last bite at the cherry.

And Holmes took full advantage by pouncing at the back post and finishing off in style.

:T.Figureido, K.Richards (A.Russell, 80 mins), M.Lowe, K.Dill (R.Richardson, 82 mins), B.Bean, D.Coddington, L.Furbert (capt), (J.Jennings, 55 mins), J.Raynor (R.Wilson, 65 mins), K.Steede (T.Wilkinson, 80 mins), S.Goater, K.Smith.: M.Reis (D.Warren, 60 mins), A.John, C.Edozien, S.Joseph (capt), J.Holmes (L.Vercollone, 69 mins), R.Latham, J.Piette (M.Parkhurst, 45 mins), M.Leonard, J.Concela, F.Brillant, J.Riley.: T.Figureido (Bermuda); J.Holmes (Revolution).

: Anthony Mouchette.