Bermuda 2 Antigua & Barbuda 1

Bermuda coach Michael Findlay’s sense of relief was palpable after his team were made to sweat for victory against Antigua & Barbuda in the Concacaf Nations League fixture in the Dominican Republic on Saturday.

An own goal by Zafique Drew and a gorgeous volley from Reggie Lambe helped the Gombey Warriors record their fourth consecutive triumph in the competition, guaranteeing them second spot in League B Group D.

They head into their final match against the Dominican Republic three points behind their opponents, after the group leaders defeated Dominica 6-1 on Saturday night. However, they are unlikely to overtake them, with an inferior goal difference of 12.

“I feel pleased that we again met the objective of winning because sometimes winning is not easy,” Findlay told The Royal Gazette.

“Winning and putting ourselves in a position to play for something, I’m pleased that we got three points. But I certainly was not pleased with our performance; it was not a performance that I think either the staff or the players would say they were proud of.

“There were times when we wouldn’t have got three points in that game. We were not able to sustain some of the pressure that came through at the end from a team fighting for survival.

“We seemed to lack the fight required to compete on a consistent basis. There is no doubt all our players are committed, and there is no doubt whether our players care and want to put their best effort in.

“You have to applaud Antigua & Barbuda’s application. They knew they were in danger of being relegated to League C, and it showed in the way they applied themselves.

“Tactically speaking, they didn’t do anything different from what we expected. At times we had trouble dealing with the very direct manner in which they played, fighting for second balls and transitional play.

“They were finding spaces behind us and causing some issues. We didn’t deal with that to the best of our ability, and we need to work on that.”

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, veteran forward 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 minute, but the defender missed a chance from a Ne-Jai Tucker free kick.

Three minutes later, Scott needed 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.

Findlay is pleased with the four-match winning streak, which gives them the impetus they need for their final match on Tuesday.

“We have another game to play on Tuesday night, and we’ll be looking for the same three points no matter what it means,” the Bermuda coach said.

“Whether it’s direct qualification to the Gold Cup or it positions us for the play-offs in 2025. International football is about winning and being part of big competitions. We’re working towards that, and there are a lot of positive things from the way we’ve played this year.

“I’m happy that the players are starting to see the rhythm, and we’re starting to put wins together.

“We talk about wanting to be serial winners. We have to play to win, and that is the only way that’s going to drive us up the rankings because when you’re up the rankings, you get favourable draws.”

SCORERS

Bermuda: Drew og 8, Lambe 48

Antigua & Barbuda: Massicot 69

TEAMS

Bermuda (4-2-3-1): D Bell – R Jones, D Leverock, H Twite, 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)