Bermuda 2 Antigua & Barbuda 1

An own goal by Zafique Drew and a gorgeous volley from Reggie Lambe kept Bermuda in contention to secure direct qualification to the Gold Cup with victory over Antigua & Barbuda in Dominican Republic on Saturday.

Drew turned the ball into his own net eight minutes into the match after Nahki Wells had his effort blocked by Zaieem Scott. Kane Crichlow pounced on the rebound and guided it towards goal, where Drew had the misfortune of scoring an own goal.

Three minutes into the second half, Lambe displayed brilliant technique with a perfectly executed volley to double the lead.

Danté Leverock, Bermuda’s captain in the absence of Dale Eve, could have made it three in the 51st minut, but the defender missed a chance from a Ne-Jai Tucker free kick.

In the 54th minute, Scott made a double save to deny Crichlow and fend off Wells, who was lurking for the rebound.

Substitute Daryl Massicot kept Antigua in the match as he pulled a goal back with a stunning strike in the 69th minute. This forced Bermuda to defend their one-goal lead and goalkeeper Detre Bell was called into action in the 86th minute, making a brilliant save to deny Antigua an equaliser.

SCORERS

Bermuda: Drew og 8, Lambe 48

Antigua & Barbuda: Massicot 69

TEAMS

Bermuda (4-2-3-1): D Bell – R Jones, D Leverock, H Twice, L Robinson – N Tucker, K Martin (sub: R Lee, 82min) – N Wells, K Crichlow (sub: A Todd, 90), D Parfitt-Williams (sub: B Hall, 69) – R Lambe (sub: R Coddington, 70). Substitutes not used: J Carpenter, S Spence, J Hill, L Lewis, K Scott, D Jones, M Perott. Booked: Twite

Antigua & Barbuda (4-5-1): Zaieem Scott – Z Drew, A Morgan, R Cordice, D Bishop (sub: D Massicot, 58) – R Deterville (sub: D Francis, 59), K Challenger (sub: T Hughes, 58), D Pereira (sub: E Gonsalves, 84), Q Griffith, T Bramble – J Stevens (sub: K Greene, 46). Substitutes not used: J Martin, Zaire Scott, Z Green, J O'Garro, T Moore. Booked: Drew, Gonsalves

Referee: T Derry (Trinidad & Tobago)