Harrisburg City Islanders 4

Bermuda Hogges 2

It was a case of different surroundings, same story for Bermuda Hogges with their first foray on foreign soil culminating in another defeat.

The Hogges had hoped their inaugural road trip to the US would have brought with it a change of fortunes after making an inauspicious start to life in the USL Division 2.

But once again it was their porous defence which proved their undoing with Harrisburg City Islanders the second side in a matter of days to put four goals past keeper Timmy Figureido.

Prior to the game the Bermuda Hogges coaching staff had talked about the importance of concentration and learning lessons following their second-half capitulation against the Charlotte Eagles in midweek.

But when it comes to the subject of defending it seems their young charges, at present, are proving to be less than able pupils.

The same can't levelled at their attacking play however, which is arguably far more refined and expansive than any of the teams they have hitherto faced.

If only points were awarded for style and presentation; then the Hogges would surely be spring-boarding their way to the upper echelons of the league rather than propping it up. And although co-owner Paul Scope admits having his side praised by opposition coaches for their style of play is rewarding, it's the cold, hard lucre of points, not plaudits, which they crave.

"Once again we played well going forward and once again we were the better footballing side, but sadly you don't get points for playing attractive football.

"We switched off in the second-half and if you make sloppy mistakes at this level you will get punished — we must learn from our lessons.

"Frequently coaches are coming up to us praising our attacking play, and while that's all well and good we need to start winning games."

The Hogges reverted to a 3-5-2 formation with Omar Shakir sweeping up in defence, while captain Kwame Steede and Shaun Goater were also given starting berths.

Scope added that for the first 45 minute the change in configuration "worked a treat" with the Hogges controlling proceedings and keeping the Islanders at bay.

"So far this season we have been getting caught out one-on-one at the back and we needed to counteract that," he said.

"We introduced a sweeper and for the first half it worked like a treat with us leading at half-time. But after the break the sloppy mistakes returned to our defensive play and we got punished.

"But we believe this formation is worth persevering with and if we can stop switching off at vital times then we will start getting results."

The fact the Hogges went into half-time protecting a narrow lead, courtesy of Stephen Astwood 25-yard strike, makes their second-half showing all the more disappointing.

Just two minutes into the second period Chad Severs, on loan from USL First Division side Rochester, deftly back-heeled into the path of defender Ryan Pierce who poked home for his first goal of the season, before Severs then gave the Islanders the lead.

Encouragingly the Hogges showed some much-needed fighting spirit with veteran striker Shaun Goater giving the scoreline parity, converting Damon Ming's well-worked centre with a trademark header.

But two goals in quick succession by substitute Steve Fisher and Mo Oduor ensured the Hogges boarded the plane back to Bermuda still searching of their first victory and a remedy for their defensive ailments.

Bermuda Hogges: (3-5-2) T.Figureido, O.Shakir, D.Cox (L.Dill), D.Zuill, D.Ming, J.Scott, K.Steede, R.Bean (C.Hill), J.Peniston, S.Goater (R.Beach), S.Astwood

Goals: Harrisburg — Pierce (47), Severs (51), Fisher (74), Oduor (78). Bermuda — Astwood (10), Goater (63).