Quickfire Gale double seals comeback win in Bridgetown
IslandStats.com
Bermuda 1 Barbados 2
A rapid second-half two goals from Thierry Gale saw Barbados come from behind to snatch a dramatic 2-1 victory over Bermuda at the BFA Technical Centre in Bridgetown.
Bermuda Starting Line-Up: - Jahquil Hill, Deniche Hill, Harry Twite, Jorj Dublin, Lejuan Simmons ( Justin Donawa 58th), Ne-Jai Tucker (Zeiko Lewis 46th), Djair Parfitt , Sincere Hall (Blayz Borgesson 54th), Luke Robinson (Caleb McDowall, 87th), Riley Robinson, Enrique Russell (Elisha Darrell 87th) - Substitutes: - Milai Perott, Emeer Peets, Brighton Morrison, Coleridge Fubler, Deigo Richardson, Ajani Burchall, London Steede-Jackson, - Barbados Starting Line-Up: - J. Blackman, T. Bailey-Edwards, Mario Williams, R. Clarke, Andre Applewhaite, J. Gollop, J. Neblett (Z. Applewhite 92nd), J. Oughterson, T. Gale, O. Leacock (J. Gilkes 92nd), N. Reid-Stephen - Substitutes: - J. Malcolm, K. Lashley, S. Hoyte, T. James, D. King, A. Banton, S. Prescod, R. Bourne,D. Thorne, C. Griffith,
Meeting for the second time in four days, the regional rivals produced an attritional opening hour before the contest ignited during a frantic eight-minute spell late in the second half.
Bermuda looked to have seized control in the 74th minute when forward Djair Parfitt showed sharp instincts in the penalty area, neatly steering home an inch-perfect delivery from Enrique Russell to break the deadlock.
However, Bermuda’s lead lasted just four minutes.
Barbados talisman Gale drew the hosts level in the 78th minute with a clinical finish to re-energize the home crowd. With Bermuda reeling from the setback, Gale struck again just four minutes later in the 82nd minute, completing a swift and ruthless turnaround to seal victory for the Bajan Tridents.
A low-key opening 45 minutes saw chances at a premium, with neither side able to carve out clear openings in the Caribbean humidity.
Barbados edged the territorial battle during the first period, controlling 56% of possession and producing five attempts on Jahquil Hill’s goal, while Bermuda’s counter-attacking setup yielded two shots and 213 passes.
Both managers turned to their benches to spark life into the contest after the interval. Bermuda introduced Zeiko Lewis at the break for Ne-Jai Tucker, followed closely by Blayz Borgesson and Justin Donawa before the hour mark.
The changes initially appeared to swing momentum in Bermuda's favor when Russell broke free down the flank to pick out Parfitt for the opener. Yet Barbados responded with sustained pressure, peppering the Bermudian goal with 15 second-half attempts and capitalizing on tired legs as Gale delivered his decisive double blow.
