Assistant coach Jack Castle believes Bermuda Hogges' abysmal away record in the USL-D2 is because they are continually having to travel with depleted squads, writes Stephen Wright.

Castle reckons unless Hogges are able to select from their strongest pool of starters when they play overseas or sign more players who are not hindered by work or other commitments, their dismal away form will persist.

Hogges suffered a 3-0 defeat against Harrisburg City Islanders on Saturday night to leave them floundering at the bottom of the league standings.

They have now failed to pick up a single point from six away matches and have not registered a goal in any of their last four outings.

Any early season optimism generated from Hogges' impressive home form has been severely punctured by their worrying run of away defeats and Castle insists that Hogges can no longer afford to travel with just 14 or 15 players for back-to-back games.

"It's my first season involved with the team but it's obvious to me why are home and away form differ so greatly," he said.

"When we go away we often have just 14 or 15 players available for back-to-back matches and that's just not enough.

"We need our strongest squad available each time and need to find more quality players who are able to travel.

"It's very notable that we've a far stronger squad when we play at home than when we play away and we've struggled because of that."

Hogges play-off hopes are now hanging by a thread and Castle knows only a victory against Crystal Palace Baltimore on Friday night at the National Sports Centre (NSC) will suffice.

"We need to get back to winning ways and our next four home matches as a springboard to revive our season and play-off hopes," he said.

Hogges should have been leading half-time against Harrisburg after winning a penalty in the midway through the half, but skipper Omar Shakir squandered the advantage by sending his effort wide of the post.

When it comes to the crunch Hogges seem incapable of converting from the spot with Shakir joining Antwan Russell and Stevie Astwood in the hall of shame of players to have missed penalties this season.

Hogges fell behind early in the second period when Steve Fisher collected a pass from Nicki Paterson and fired a low shot past a sprawled out goalkeeper Nigel Burgess.

Two minutes later Jason Pelletier then beat Burgess from long range and late on Anthony Calvano completed the rout when Fisher grabbed his second of the game following a 'keeper error to maintain Harrisburg's unbeaten home record.

Hogges play Crystal Palace Baltimore at the NSC on Friday night at 8 p.m.

Hogges 2009 away results

Lost 2-0 Crystal Palace Baltimore

Lost 3-2 Real Maryland Monarchs

Lost 1-0 Wilmington Hammerheads

Lost 6-0 Charlotte Eagles

Lost 1-0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Lost 3-0 Harrisburg City Islanders

n Former Hogges player Keishen Bean scored his second goal of the season for Ottawa Fury in their 1-1 draw at Brooklyn Knights on Saturday. Fury beat Newark Ironbound Express 4-1 on Sunday.

Bermuda international Khano Smith was an unused substitute in New York Red Bulls 2-1 defeat at Toronto FC on Saturday. Smith has started just five matches since joing Red Bulls from Seattle Sounders during pre-season.