Bermuda Hogges 0Jersey Express 2The look of disappointment written on the battle-weary faces of the Bermuda Hogges players at the final whistle was of course understandable, but certainly not warranted.Such was the players’ air of despondency at losing to Jersey Express, it would have been easy to forget what an encouraging campaign Hogges have had, achieving their first ever mid-table finish.It would have also been easy to forget that 12 months ago Hogges ended their inaugural Premier Development League campaign rooted to the bottom of the table.In a game played before one of the largest crowds at BAA Field this season surely a sign Hogges are slowly capturing the imagination of the notoriously hard to please Bermuda football fans the Islanders had hoped to sign off their summer in style.However, goals either side of the interval by fleet-of-foot winger Ansger Otto denied Hogges’ players and supporters from sharing a final celebratory moment before the shutters were brought down on another season.One man who didn’t quite share Hogges players’ sense of dejection was head coach Maurice Lowe, who praised his side for accomplishing their primary objective of securing a mid-table position.“You can see that the players are disappointed tonight, but I’m very proud of them,” said Lowe, reflecting on his first season in charge.“For me, it’s a case of mission accomplished; our main aim was to finish mid-table and we’ve done that. Hopefully next season we can push on and become a play-off team.”Between now and next season, there’s the small matter of Bermuda’s 2014 World Cup qualifiers, which will likely involve more than half of Hogges’ squad and could begin as early as October.That Hogges finished the second half of the season strongly winning four and drawing two of their final nine games can only bode well for their chances of a deep run in the regional qualifiers.After all, it’s unlikely there will be a Caribbean nation or a Bermuda national team of yesteryear for that matter whose players will have been as well as prepared as those the Island’s World Cup hopes are pinned on, having played 16 competitive matches this summer.Lowe, who has been touted to become the next national team boss, said he believed Hogges’ ball retention and approach play against Express was better than in any of his team’s other games this season.“I was pleased with the way we kept hold of the ball tonight; it’s the best we’ve probably played all season,” said the BAA Wanderers coach.“We passed it around nicely throughout the game and created a few chances.“Express are a very good team, though, especially defensively, and their keeper made a few good saves.”Hogges’ best spell of the match came during the first half when they twice went close to scoring through Lashun Dill, who forced a flying save from goalkeeper Ray Meara, before heading over from a Khano Smith cross.In the second period, Hogges skipper Keishen Bean almost added to his tally of eight goals this season when he called Meara into action with a venomous drive from distance; while at the other end Tahj Bell, arguably Hogges’ player of the season, had to reel off several saves to prevent the visitors increasing their lead.Former MLS pro Smith tried manfully to inspire a late Hogges comeback but Express stood firm, reminding Hogges that while their improvement has been vast this season, they still have some way to go before being considered genuine play-off challengers.Bermuda Hogges: T Bell, D Andrade, J Bather, D Cox, R Lee, C Caisey, K Bean, S Darrell, L Dill (D Ming, 75) A Russell (C Castle, 78) K SmithSubstitutes not used: W ClemonsJersey Express: R Meara, J Ruesgen, C Edwards, S Foster, J Trott, R Youhill (W Stamatis, 65), A Konopelsky, M Mazzullo, A Otto, K Dacres (R Rodriguez, 80)Substitutes not used: J Londono, MashriqiYellow card: A KonopelskyGoals: Otto, 30, 59Referee: J Hernendez LunaMan of the Match: D Cox (Hogges)n Trialist Reggie Lambe came on for the final half an hour of Gillingham’s pre-season friendly defeat against Millwall on Saturday.The former Ipswich winger went close to scoring when he put an effort just over the bar. The Gills lost 1-0.