Bermuda 0 LA Galaxy 4

The gulf between amateur and professional football was exposed in front of a virtually deserted National Sports Centre last night as MLS side LA Galaxy wrapped up their first tour of the Island with a convincing victory.

To their credit, Bermuda, under the guidance of interim coach Kenny Thompson, never gave up the fight and, particularly in the second half, provided the visitors with a few anxious moments.

But on a wild, windy night which made it difficult for both sides, the difference in class was ultimately reflected in the final scoreline.

With striker Steven Astwood often a lone figure up front and Khano Smith, breaking ranks with the visiting New England Revolution who had defeated the Galaxy 3-1 on Thursday night, perhaps feeling the effects of three matches inside four days, Bermuda always faced an uphill battle.

Two goals down at the half, having opened with the wind at their backs, they conceded two more after the break to a side who within a few months will become the focus of world attention when they welcome David Beckham into their ranks.

Certainly last night, though, they had no need for the services of the former England skipper and current Real Madrid star.

In a scrappy first half in which Bermuda failed to muster a single shot on goal, it was the Galaxy who dictated play.

But it took them more than half an hour to break the deadlock, the agile Gavin Glinton taking advantage of some slack marking to shoot home from close range in the 33rd minute.

With Bermuda struggling to string their passes together, the visitors always looked likely to add a second and it came shortly before the half-time whistle, Glinton again in the thick of the action, his flick-on smashed past Bermuda ‘keeper Timmy Figureido by Michael Randolph.

Bermuda’s best period came in the middle stages of the half as they forced three consecutive corners without seriously threatening Galaxy ‘keeper Steve Cronin.

At the other Glinton missed a sitter with the goal at his mercy, completely mistiming his shot. But he was soon to make amends, and once his goal had given Galaxy the lead there was little doubt about the final outcome.

Robert Finley headed in the Californians’ third goal from a corner in the 70th minute and Josh Thorinton rounded off the scoring with the best goal of the game, beating Figureido with a sweetly struck low shot into the corner of the net after 83 minutes.