Bermuda end drought –with a flood of goals
Bermuda 4
St.Kitt's and Nevis 2
Aljame Zuill produced another vintage display of marksmanship to earn Bermuda a first win on home soil in three-years - and a first at this level in 13 months.
Showcasing the predatory instincts that have made him one of the Island's most prolific strikers over the years, the veteran poacher's clinical finishing proved to be the difference as Bermuda, who made seven changes to their squad, emphatically overturned last Friday's narrow 2-1 defeat against the visiting St.Kitt's and gave the 1,500 fans that showed up at the National Sports Centre (NSC) yesterday their money's worth.
Zuill hit the back of the net in the third, 40th and 83rd minutes and received a well-deserved standing ovation from Premier Ewart Brown when he was replaced by former Devonshire Colts team-mate Lloyd Holder two minutes from the end of regulation.
He also laid on the pass for Sammy DeGraff to fire home from close range to put Bermuda firmly in the driver's seat just before the half for added measure, as the home side ruthlessly dismantled a subdued St.Kitt's who were never allowed to change gears.
"To be quite honest, I always felt as though I would get on the scoresheet today. But I didn't think I'd score three, which is really something special to achieve at this level," said Zuill, as he headed toward the team bus.
"I thought we lacked finishing on Friday. . . but we more than compensated for that today and showed everybody that we can play."
Imran Ponteen and sub Stedroy Charles replied for the visitors through opportunistic goals either side of the interval.
Predictably, coach Keith Tucker ushered in drastic changes in pursuit of that uplifting first win under his stewardship. And it only took three-minutes for the former Howard University coach to reap reward for the bold decision as Zuill gave the home side the perfect start when he netted the first of his memorable treble after St.Kitt's were dispossessed deep in their own territory.
The returning DeGraff, who missed Friday's first encounter through religious purposes, pick pocketed a defender and supplied a well measured pass to an unmarked Zuill who steered the ball to the right of the onrushing 'keeper to send his team's supporters in the stands into raptures.
With DeGraff and skipper Kwame Steede pulling all the strings running from deep and the pace and towering physical presences of wingers Tyrell Burgess and Lashun Dill wreaking havoc down the flanks, the St.Kitt's defence was often bent out of shape with the lurking Zuill a constant threat down the middle.
Bermuda nearly stretched their lead midway through the half, but Steede's powerful header from Dill's searching cross soared wide while Zuill had an effort blocked after St.Kitt's were again caught flat footed on a quick break.
