Although they operate on opposite sides of the Atlantic the careers of professionals David Bascome and Shawn Goater continue to mirror each other.

Both enjoyed outstanding seasons in 1994/1995 after disappointing campaigns the year before, Goater at English Second Division club Rotherham and Bascome with the NPSL Harrisburg Heat.

Currently, both are back in Bermuda taking a break from the rigours of life as professional soccer players and earlier this week each reflected on their recently completed seasons.

"I didn't think I started so well, but as I progressed I felt I got more consistent and played the most games since I joined the club -- a total of 52 games -- so from that I was able to develop consistency,'' said Goater, now set to enter his fourth season with the club.

"I scored 25 goals, basically an average of between one and two, so my boss was very happy.

"My previous high was 13, but again I only started 26 games and subbed in many of the games, coming on for 10 and 15 minutes. So I was very happy to be involved as a regular this past season which was the standard I set for myself.'' Part of the reason for 25-year-old Goater's success was that the striker was able to remain healthy, utilising his pace and deft ball skills to full effect.

He did, however, pull a hamstring during the team's final match of the season which will require four to six weeks of recovery. But this, Goater said, would not hinder his readiness for the start of the 1995-96 season.

Goater, who spent his first few years in England with Premier Division giants Manchester United, is entering the final year of a two-year contract and remains optimistic that he will be picked up by another club in a higher division.

"I am happy at Rotherham, I have another year to go, but I have been there quite a while and I am hoping that something will develop in terms of something higher up over this summer as a result of me scoring 25 goals,'' he explained "That's all I can do, score the goals during the season and hope that something comes up after the season.

"I've got another year on my contract and if it turns out that I am still at Rotherham by the time the pre-season gets underway I would still be happy.

"I'm not desperate to go anywhere. It doesn't make sense going somewhere if you are not happy even if the finances are attractive.'' The rebirth for Bascome was even more amazing, as after almost two seasons spent watching from the sidelines due to back and leg injuries there was some doubt whether the slender ball wizard would ever play again.

Yet, not only did he perform, he was a chief contributor to the most successful season ever for the Pennsylvania outfit, which went all the way to the NPSL finals before being beaten by St. Louis in four games.

Bascome netted a whopping 42 goals in 40 matches, second highest on the team, and now finds himself entering contract talks in an advantageous position.

"Yes it was a good season for the Heat and myself,'' said Bascome. "It's been three years since I have been able to finish a full season and that's been a big joke at my club. But it's good for me because at least the coach got to see what I could do. I ended up scoring 42 goals, second on the team, so right now I am pretty happy because I have a lot of jobs coming up coaching kids. "Winning the division and reaching the finals was good for us, a big accomplishment for both the team and me.

"For the past three years I have had a back or leg injury but I was pretty pleased that everything went well this season. I ended up playing 40 out of 45 games and I am pleased with that.'' Bascome credited a solid work ethic by each individual on the Heat roster for their new found success, from veterans all the way down to the newcomers.

"Everybody works hard, and basically if you put the work in you are going to get the rewards at the end,'' he said. "That was the biggest thing, everybody dug deep. We had a lot of rookies on our team but we still accomplished a lot.'' TWO OF A KIND -- Shawn Goater (left) slammed 25 goals for Rotherham in the just-completed English season while David Bascome (right) hammered 42 for American indoor team, Harrisburg Heat.