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Russell inspires emotional Hogges to victory over Flames

(Photo by Glenn Tucker)Hogges skipper Antwan Russell (left) bursts forward against Westchester Flames at BAA Field yesterday. Hogges won 3-1.

An emotional Antwan Russell bagged a brace in Bermuda Hogges’ season finale to guide his side to a comfortable victory against Westchester Flames at BAA Field yesterday.It was a difficult day for the Hogges players who before the game had attended the funeral of Devonshire Cougars midfielder Tumaini Steede, who died last week due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.Hogges’ players, who wore the Bermuda national team strip instead of their customary Hogges kit, understandably played with heavy hearts but managed to battl through their emotions to win their third straight game.Skipper Russell put the match to bed with his two goals in the 12th and 57th minute before Steede’s Cougars team-mate Domico Coddington sealed the win with a clinical finish from 30 yards in the 61st minute.Giovani Esposito pulled a goal back for the visitors four minutes from time.“It was very emotional, but I can’t take my mind off of the fact Tumaini has gone and I told the side to play as hard as we can for him and it turned out for the better, our condolences go out to Steede family,” said Russell.“There was emotionally a slow response to it all but we came out with a hunger and we are missing one of our own so came out with him looking over us tonight.”Russell’s first goal set the tone for the game as he was sent through by Tre Ming, before slipping the ball through the legs of Flames’ goalkeeper Ronald Bonilla. As a fitting tribute to ex-national team midfielder Steede, Russell brought a picture of his fallen friend out of his shorts.“He was a good friend of mine and when I scored I took out a picture of him, I was almost in tears as he is, and still will be a good friend of mine and in the end he was looking out for us,” added Russell.Hogges controlled the game, with Keishen Bean, Ming, and Zeiko Lewis dictating for long spells.The hosts extended their lead in the 57th minute when Coddington beat Bonilla to a long ball over the Flames defence, only to have defender Nic Sorice handle the ball in the area.Russell stepped up to slot the spot kick home.Coddington then added a third with a 30-yard looping drive over Bonilla from an acute angle to clinch the points.Esposito’s goal came from a mix up between Troy Hall and the Hogges defence allowing the midfielder to steal in tap home from close range home.The Hogges have won last three matches of the season just one point shy of their highest point total in a season.Kick off was switched to a later time to allow Hogges’ player to attend Steede’s funeral yesterday afternoon.Bermuda: T Hall, D Ming, T Burgess, D Cox, S Darrell, C Robinson (D Bascome, 59), T Ming, Z Lewis 8, K Bean, A Russell, D CoddingtonSubstitutes not used: T Bell, R Deshields, M Thomas, J SwanGoals: Russell, 12,57, D Coddington, 61Yellow cards: D BascomeWestchester Flames: R Bonilla, T Manz, N Sorice, M Amiero, R Heredia, E Calixio, A Kumah, G Esposito, B Sherman, A Rodier (D Antonopoulos, 72), R Desouza (R Williams, 83)Substitutes not used: A Molano, M da fonteGoals: G Esposito, 86