WHAT a difference a Goat makes!

Anybody who watched Wednesday?s friendly international between Bermuda and Nicaragua would likely agree that the return of Shaun Goater to the Island?s national team after a four-year absence was as timely as it was effective.

Already on a high following their recent demolition of Montserrat in the opening World Cup qualifier, Kenny Thompson?s men seemed charged up just by the Goat?s presence.

There was an air of confidence in their play that hasn?t always been evident at this level, a touch of arrogance which suggested they believed in their own ability, and a buzz in the crowd who came in their droves in anticipation of something special from their long-lost hero.

And, to no-one?s surprise, the Goat delivered ? two goals and a wonderful display of neat touches and flicks which have become his trademark in the English league.

That?s not to say the 3-0 crushing of Nicaragua was a one-man show. Anything but.

But it certainly demonstrated the value in the team of a player with Goater?s professional experience.

His influence both on and off the ball, his constant encouragement of the younger players and his own work-rate will all have left a lasting impression.

Commitments with Reading ? they face a crucial match against West Ham tomorrow ? mean Goater will be missing from tonight?s line-up when Bermuda take on the Nicaraguans again.

And, of course, it will be interesting to make comparisons between Wednesday?s team and a team without him.

No doubt those in the squad will be eager to show they can take care of the Central Americans with or without their star player.

And there?s no reason to believe they can?t. While the visitors displayed some interesting individual skills, as a unit they were disorganised.

As with so many teams from that part of the world, their theatrics and play-acting tended to detract from their natural ability.

Those at the National Sports Centre on Wednesday witnessed a classic example as defender Hevel Quintanilla tugged on Goater?s shirt and then hit the deck as if struck by lightning when the big striker nudged him away ? a not-so-subtle form of cheating the likes of which Bermuda can expect much more when they visit El Salvador for the second round World Cup qualifier in June.

By then Goater will be free of his Reading obligations and committed to Bermuda?s cause again.

It promises to be an interesting summer.

* * * *

SO who were those three ?byes? in the grandstand on Wednesday who made more noise between them than the rest of the 3,000 put together?

Dave and Penny Carruthers will probably be the first to concede that their sons ? Simon, Ian and Ricky ? aren?t the shy, retiring sort.

Indeed, the ?Carruthers Kids? ? like their father all Derby County supporters ? made such an impression with their constant chanting ? ?Feed the Goat and he will score?; ?Kenny Thompson?s blue ?n white army? ? and initiation of the Mexican wave, that Sports Minister Dale Butler presented them with free tickets for tonight?s game.

Goater or not, their presence might be worth the price of admission alone.