Bermuda’s national team signed off the year in high spirits following an encouraging World Cup qualifying campaign.Although the Gombey Warriors failed to qualify from their group, they finished the final four games unbeaten including a 1-0 win over a star-studded Trinidad side at the National Sports Centre.Their qualifying record of three wins, one draw and two defeats, which saw them finish behind group winners Guyana and second place Trinidad, lifted Bermuda up FIFA’s world rankings to 109th position. They will now be hoping to be a seeded team at the Digicel Cup in the summer.Also missing out on advancing to the next stage of World Cup qualifiers was Bermuda Under-23s. Competing in a group against hosts Suriname, Guyana and Netherlands Antilles, Gary Darrell’s side fell short of the mark when they lost to Suriname in a must-win game that decided the claimed the all-important top spot.However, the Under-23s to record victories over Guyana and Netherlands Antilles.In April, Derek Broadley stepped down as Bermuda Football Association’s technical director after seeing out his three-year contract. Broadley, who helped establish the National Academy, was succeeded by his number two Boyles, previously the BFA’s youth director.It was also an encouraging year for Bermuda Hogges who achieved their highest place finish in the USL, coming sixth in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Skipper Keishen Bean was the team’s top scorer with eight goals.It was certainly a year to remember for Nahki Wells who launched his career in the English professional ranks.Wells signed for League Two outfit Carlisle United, making three substitute appearances, before being released at the end of last season.But the former Dandy Town man didn’t have long to wait before being picked up by another club, with Bradford City offering him a one-year deal.The 21-year-old striker opened his scoring account at the League Two side after coming on as a second-half sub against Barnet. He then stole the headlines when Bradford City he struck a late match-winning wonder goal from against Rochdale in the FA Cup,Wells’ international teammate Reggie Lambe finally got his move back to professional football after being released by Ipswich Town.Lambe, 20, recently signed a four-year contract with Major League Soccer side Toronto FC.On the domestic front, North Village began their trophy-laden season with victory in the Friendship Trophy final with Ralph Bean Jr hitting two late goals against Devonshire Cougars. Village also claimed the Premier League title but were undone in the Dudley Eve, losing to Dandy Town 1-0 with Jamal Swan on target for Hornets.Tumaini Steede struck a brace to help Cougars successfully defend their FA Cup with a comfortable 4-1 win over Southampton Rangers.Jesse Seymour and Lejuan Simmons also scored for the champions, while Travis Wilkinson scored a consolation goal for Rangers.In the Corona League, Vasco went the whole season unbeaten to claim the title, but lost to Village in the Rubis Charity Cup.