It was an away day to forget as the Barbados Lady Tridents slumped to a 4-2 defeat to Bermuda in their Group C clash on the road to the Concacaf W Gold Cup at the Bermuda National Sports Centre in Devonshire.
In their previous meeting last Friday night at the Wildey Turf, Adrienne Forde’s 47th minute equaliser stole a draw for the Bajans, but Bermuda flipped the script on Tuesday night and were three-nil up within the first twelve minutes to give Barbados a more difficult task of getting something out the game.Ashanee Thompson’s first half brace looked to be the catalyst to pull the visitors out of their distress, in addition to the early second half dismissal of Bermuda’s Khyla Bragman, but a goal against the run of play by Aaliyah Nolan, her second of the match and third against the Lady Tridents, put the result beyond doubt.
A short pass from goalkeeper and captain Kamillah Burke to centre back Keinelle Johnson was intercepted by Jaden Masters in the fifth minute, and she made no mistake slotting past Burke for the opening goal. Victoria Davis’ picture-perfect long range free kick in the tenth minute travelled a great distance before smacking the back of the net, beating Burke for pace and power. By this time, the sounds of various horns and the tuk band grew in decibels to make for a more intimidating atmosphere, despite the smattering of Bajan supporters and flags in the stands.
The crescendo of noise was almost deafening when three minutes after Davis’ free kick, a long, direct pass dissected centre backs Forde and Johnson, which allowed Nolan the time and space to smash her shot past Burke into the roof of the net. (NM)