Bermuda Hogges 0

North'n Virginia Royals 1

How many chances should it take to win a football game?

Bermuda Hogges had more than they should have needed last night and yet still ended up losing against Northern Virginia Royals at BAA Field.

Tekeyhi Walker was the chief culprit, missing two glorious openings either side of half time.

A long kick from goalkeeper Tahj Bell sent Walker on goal where he only had the out-rushing Harry Lockwood to beat but was unable to direct his looping header into the vacant net.

Walker's second chance was probably the easier. A poor punched clearance from keeper Lockwood dropped invitingly into his path, however the Boulevard man showed a lack of conviction by side-footing his effort harmlessly wide.

In fairness to Walker, who worked a tireless shift up front, he was not the only the player left ruining missed opportunities.

Minutes later, defender Devrae Tankard burst along the by-line before cutting the ball back for Roger Lee who fluffed his close range shot straight into the thankful arms of Lockwood.

It was the best chance of the game for either side until substitute Anthony Han's clinical finish midway through the second half gave the Royals the win.

The Hogges defence had enough chances to clear their lines before the ball broke kindly for Han who slotted his shot into the far corner past Bell who had no chance.

Hogges' head coach Scott Morton admitted his team's profligacy in front of goal had cost them three points but backed his players to bounce back tomorrow against the Royals.

"That was unbelievable, we needed to finish those chances we created," he said.

"But I'm still proud of my players, they fought hard, they kept believing but we have to improve our finishing.

"We need to show greater composure in those situations. We looked tense, maybe because we want to so much and rushed our chances.

"We'll be looking for three points on Sunday but we won't go chasing the game. We'll stick to our game style.

"The players are deflated because they know they should have won this game.

"Hopefully this will be a learning curve for us, I'm sure it will be.

"The Hogges take on the Royals tomorrow at 6 p.m. at BAA Field.

Bermuda Hogges: T.Bell, D.Signor (M.Waldron, 78) D.Cox, D.Tankard, S.Darrell, R.Lee (K.Bean, 67) T.Tucker, D.Ming, T.Walker (S.Hollis, 78) A. Simmons

Substitutes not used: K.Goddard, J.Bather, D.Andrade

Yellow cards: Darrell

Northern Virginia Royals: H.Lockward, S.Duran, E.Zuehsow, S. Goldman, S.O'Reilly, K.Sheeta (A.Han, 69), J.Davin, R.Edgar (J.Weeg, 76), D. Shannon (AJ. Sheto, 66), G.Renfrow, S.Katongole

Substitutes not used: M.Wysocki

Goals: Han, 75

Referee: G.Barkey

Man-of-the-match: D. Cox (Hogges)