Boulevard 0

Robin Hood 2

Robin Hood won their third straight league game of the season with a hard-fought victory over Boulevard at Police Field yesterday.

One of only three games played after the fatal shooting at Southampton Rangers led the Bermuda Football Association to postpone the rest of the fixtures, Hood took the lead in the fifth minute through Nathan Peskett.

The midfielder, who was later sent off for a second bookable offence, stroked home from the edge of the box after good work from striker Mackih McGowan, who was handed a start ahead of Muhammed Brajanovic.

Five minutes later Hood had a chance to extend their lead when Lejuan Simmons earned his side a penalty after being hauled down in the box by defender Jakio Williams, who received a red card.

However, Antwan Russell, the Hood striker, who had scored five goals in his previous two outings, had his weak penalty low to the goalkeeper’s left saved by Daniel Adams.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Boulevard were showing plenty of intent going forward, and won a spot kick of their own when Sergio Richardson was fouled by the unusually lacklustre Jaylon Bather.

Dunn-Ya Taylor, the Boulevard captain, repeated Russell’s feat, with Jason Simmons, the Hood goalkeeper, saving his effort.

Undeterred, Boulevard continued to take the game to Hood who were fortunate to go into the break on level terms.

It was not long, however, before Hood’s extra man told with Lejuan Simmons carving his way through the Boulevard defence before firing a low effort into the far corner.

Hood went close to adding a third from a corner kick but Bather, the Hood captain, guided a free header wide of Adams’s right-hand post.

In the final few minutes Hood were also reduced to ten men when combative midfielder Peskett was shown a second yellow for a late challenge on substitute Macai Young.

Kyle Lightbourne, the Hood coach, admitted his side failed to make the most of their advantage after Williams’s dismissal.

“We seem to have a problem playing against ten men,” Lightbourne said. “Last season we lost seven points playing against ten men.

“We could have been challenging for the league [title] had we not dropped those points.”

Lightbourne praised Boulevard for their fighting spirit and believed they had deserved to be level at half time.

“Boulevard fought to the end and showed lots of heart, but I think we just scored at the right time,” he said.

“At times we played OK, and we haven’t made a bad start to the season, but we haven’t been very fluid throughout a whole game yet.

“We worked hard and kept a clean sheet, which I was pleased with. I could do with a bit more from my big players, though.”