Danté Leverock paid tribute to late friend Collins Smith after making a flying start on his debut with Estonian side Narva Trans at the weekend.

The Bermuda defender scored in his team’s 5-0 victory away to Kuressaare in their Premier League opener, finding the net in the 68th minute with a close-range finish from a corner.

After his team’s dominant display Leverock dedicated his opportunistic strike in honour of his late friend.

“A goal on my debut dedicated to my angel Collins Smith,” he tweeted. “I felt you with me today and I knew with you guiding me I would do the business. I will always look to the sky for you. Up the Trans.”

Elaborating on his tribute, Leverock told The Royal Gazette: “I was determined to score today for someone very close to me, Collins Smith, who passed away recently. I’m happy I was able to do that for him.”

Leverock joined Narva Trans, one of only two sides never to have been relegated from the Baltic country’s top flight, in January on a one-year deal after starting the 2017-18 domestic season with Premier Division defending champions Robin Hood.

“It feels good to get a win in the first game, a clean sheet and most importantly a goal on my debut,” he added. “I’ll enjoy the moment but back to work tomorrow to prepare for a very tough game next weekend versus the top team in Estonia.”

Leverock and his team-mates made the breakthrough after Kuressaare were reduced to ten men. Defender Elary Valmas was dismissed for a push from behind on Narva Trans’ forward Victor Plotnikov as he raced towards goal.

Midfielder Dmitry Proshin’s spot kick struck the post but Plotnikov reacted first to poke home the rebound.

Things then got worse for the home side four minutes later after they conceded a second penalty which midfielder Svyatoslav Yakovlev converted to put the visiting side firmly in control.

In the 50th minute Plotnikv grabbed a second goal to make it 3-0 before additional tallies from Leverock, a former Dandy Town player and Eduard Golovlev.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Bermuda captain Reggie Lambe was an unused substitute in Carlisle United’s 2-0 victory at home to Grimsby Town in the Sky Bet League Two.

Nahki Wells was not included in Burnley’s squad for the second straight match. Burnley beat Everton 2-1 at home in the Premier League.