Bermuda 3 Barbados 0 Domico Coddington turned in a sparkling performance as Bermuda beat Barbados 3-0 last night to sit proudly atop their Under-17 World Cup qualifying group.

With Jamaica only beating the Netherland Antilles 2-0 the host nation are now in pole position in the four-team tournament -- albeit after only one game.

Goals from Jason Davis, Curt Stovell and flying winger Coddington ensured both a fantastic night for a packed crowd at the National Sports Centre and a smile on the face of coach Kenny Thompson.

"It was definitely a satisfying win because this was not an easy opponent,'' said Thompson. "They were very physical and they made life very difficult for us. So to be able to come out 3-0 is a fantastic start.'' A fantastic start was definitely what the home side got.

They were a goal up after just two minutes, Davis stroking the ball home from six yards after excellent wing play from Coddington down the right.

However, a minute later Barbados were desperately unlucky not to have drawn level.

Still celebrating their goal, Bermuda allowed the Bajuns to get behind their back four and Justin Belgrave rifled in a shot which came back off the underside of the bar.

Shocked by that incident, the home side took the game to their opponents and went 2-0 up after 15 minutes.

A misplaced pass in the Bajun defence let in Curt Stovell who rode a couple of challenges before slipping the ball past the advancing 'keeper Ruel Forde.

Those thinking the game might turn into a rout were disappointed though as Barbados regrouped and Bermuda began to struggle to break them down.

Their crisp passing and incisive attacking went AWOL for a time and they allowed their opponents time and space to plan their own forays.

Takeymi Walker had to be replaced by Jahnai Raynor as the second half got under way.

Coddington had the first real chance of the period, stinging the hands of Forde with a drive he had to palm for a corner.

Despite being unable to assert their authority for a time, Bermuda wrapped up the game in the 70th minute.

Man of the match Coddington left his marker for dead down the right and headed for the byline.

He appeared to wait to see if a striker appeared in the box, but when no-one did he unleashed a bullet of a shot that would have fair left Forde limbless had he foolishly decided to get in its way.

Thompson was justifiably proud of his team, although he said they needed a bit of a talking to at the break.

"A goal early on definitely settled us down a little bit and then to get a second just before half-time was tremendous,'' he said.

"At half-time we said we knew we weren't playing as well as we could and we weren't very happy with the performance in the first half because we made too many unecessary mistakes.

"The main aim then was to deny them scoring in the second half.'' Bermuda face the Antilles tomorrow and Thompson said his players had to guard against complacency.

"We have to take every match very, very seriously. I saw them against Jamaica. They didn't play very well in the first half, but they did in the second,'' he said.

Bermuda: J.Williams; S.Deshield; J.Ball (J.Butterfield, 70); J.Simons; C.Moulder; J.Davis; D.Coddington; K.Outerbridge (L.Marshall, 81); D.Swan; C.Stovell; T.Walker (J.Raynor, 46).

Barbados: R.Forde; R.Hall; K.Griffith; D.Taitt (C.Mark, 73); D.Bradshaw; K.Blackman; Malcolm Marshall (M.Young, 44); J.Belgrave; J.Watson (D.Marshall, 73); D.Griffith; Marcus Marshall.

Yellow card: D.Bradshaw (Barbados).

Men of the match: D.Coddington (Bermuda); R.Forde (Barbados).

Referee: M.Kennedy (USA).