Colts & Hood lead the way as Title Races Reach Fever Pitch
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Devonshire Colts have surged to the summit of the Bermuda Premier Division on goal difference as a clinical scoring race begins to take shape at the top of the table.
In what is proving to be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory, the Colts find themselves locked on 25 points with the Dandy Town Hornets. The Devonshire side’s superior scoring record has given them the thinnest of margins at the top, but they are far from comfortable. The PHC Zebras are breathing down their necks just one point behind on 24, while the North Village Rams remain firmly in the hunt on 22 points.
The mid-table battle is currently led by the Devonshire Cougars on 17 points, followed by X-Road's who sit on 13. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the struggle for survival continues for St. George's Colts, Paget Lions, and Young Men's Social Club, with the Boulevard Blazers currently rooted to the bottom of the division on six points.
The race for the Golden Boot is equally tight, with a two-way tie at the top of the charts. Senoj Mitchell of the Devonshire Colts and Enrique Russell of the PHC Zebras have both found the net 10 times this season, establishing themselves as the league’s most feared marksmen. Chae Brangman - Devonshire Cougars, Donovan Thompson - X-Road’s, and Zeiko Lewis - Young Men Social Club are all within striking distance on eight goals apiece, while David Jones of the Dandy Town Hornets remains a threat with seven to his name.
In the First Division, Robin Hood have established a two-point cushion at the top of the table as they look to secure a swift return to the top flight. Sitting on 21 points, they lead a Somerset Trojans side that has proved to be their most consistent challengers on 19 points.
A significant gap has opened up to the chasing pack, where the Somerset Eagles lead a mid-table logjam on 11 points. Southampton Rangers and Wolves are currently tied on eight points each, followed by St. David's on seven, while Vasco continue a difficult campaign without a point to their name.
While the team standings remain relatively close, the individual scoring race has become a one-man show. Veteran striker Keishen Bean has been in a league of his own for Robin Hood, storming to a staggering 17 goals so far this term.
Bean’s tally is more than four times that of his nearest rival, Jadan Ratteray Smith of the Somerset Trojans, who sits in second place with four goals. A cluster of players including Dominique Hill and Donte Brangman - Southampton Rangers, and Khymani McNeil - Somerset Trojans follow on three goals, but with Bean scoring at an unprecedented rate, the First Division's top scorer award appears to be his to lose.
Utica edge Bascome’s Blast in tight Adirondack Encounter
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David Bascome’s Baltimore Blast suffered a narrow 4 - 2 defeat to Utica City FC as their return to the Adirondack Bank Center ended in a hard-fought frustration.
In a clash defined by defensive discipline and high-intensity transitions, the Blast found themselves unable to break the resolve of a resilient Utica side. The loss leaves Bascome’s men looking to regroup quickly as the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) Eastern Conference race intensifies heading into the late-winter schedule.
The match sparked into life midway through the opening period when Sergio Pinal found space to slot home the opener for Utica City. Baltimore, however, showed the trademark resilience that has become synonymous with Bascome’s tenure. With just over a minute left on the first-quarter clock, Nico Williams produced a moment of individual quality to draw the Blast level, ensuring the sides remained deadlocked following a scoreless and cagey second period.
The game truly opened up in the third period as both sides looked to seize the momentum. Meny Silva handed the hosts the lead just two minutes after the restart, but Baltimore once again found an answer. Juan Pereira showcased his finishing ability in the ninth minute to make it 2-2, momentarily silencing the Utica faithful.
However, the joy for the Blast was short-lived. Less than a minute after Pereira's equaliser, Gordy Gurson pounced on a loose ball to restore Utica’s advantage. The goal proved to be the turning point, as Baltimore were forced to chase the game and leave gaps in their defensive structure.
The final quarter was a masterclass in game management from the hosts. As Baltimore pushed for a third equaliser, Sergio Pinal struck again in the fourth minute of the final frame to double the Utica lead. Despite a late flurry of chances and tactical shifts from Bascome on the bench, the Blast were unable to beat the Utica keeper again, leaving the Adirondack Bank Center empty-handed.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
BFA Premier & First Division Round-Ups
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Boulevard Blazers secured a vital three points in their fight for survival after coming out on top in a staggering nine-goal "barn burner" against Young Men's Social Club at Police Field.
PREMIER DIVISION
Young Men Social Club 4 Boulevard Blazers 5
In a match that saw the lead change hands multiple times, the tenth-placed Blazers showed immense character to edge their ninth-placed rivals 5-4.
Social Club took the lead through a 31st-minute own goal, but the Blazers hit back through Khya Blyden, who scored twice in five minutes to turn the game on its head. Angelo Matthews ensured the sides went into the break level at 2-2 with a strike just before the interval.
The drama escalated in the second half as Zeiko Lewis restored Social Club's lead, only for Doreiko Walker to equalise almost immediately. Lewis found the net again to make it 4-3, but a late surge from the Blazers, punctuated by a Nico Smith equaliser and an 83rd-minute winner from Keedai Astwood, snatched the victory for the visitors.
Paget Lions 0 St. Gorge’s Colts 3
St. George’s Colts secured a much-needed result at White Hill Field, comfortably dispatching Paget Lions 3-0 to leapfrog their opponents in the standings.
Jahron Dickinson was the star of the show, breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute before doubling the lead shortly after the restart with a clinical finish. Jarizinho Bassett completed the scoring in the 69th minute, a result that saw the Colts move into seventh place while the Lions slid down to eighth.
X-Road’s 2 North Village Rams 5
The Premier Division’s defending champions, North Village Rams, showed their class on the road with a commanding 5-2 victory over X-Road’s at Lord’s in St. David’s.
The Rams were in control from the outset, with two first-half penalties from Knory Scott and a Camajé Easton-Smith strike handing them a 3-1 cushion at the break, despite Paul Simons netting for the hosts.
Che'kai Caisey added a fourth for Village, and while Krishun Douglas pulled one back with a stunning free kick, Jalen Harvey’s late header ensured the champions returned to Hamilton with all three points.
FIRST DIVISION
Somerset Trojans 0 Somerset Eagles 0
The highly anticipated "Battle of Somerset" ended in a scoreless draw as the Somerset Trojans and Somerset Eagles played out a tense 0-0 encounter at the Somerset Cricket Club.
In a match of few clear-cut openings, it was the Trojans' goalkeeper who emerged as the hero, producing five clutch saves in the final minutes to preserve a point and keep the Trojans' promotion hopes on track.
Southampton Rangers 3 Wolves 3
Fans at the Southampton Oval were treated to a six-goal thriller as Southampton Rangers and Wolves played out a 3-3 draw.
Jarred Douglas put Wolves two goals ahead with strikes either side of half-time, but the Rangers mounted a spectacular comeback. Donte Brangman scored twice in an eight-minute flurry alongside an Ellington Weldon goal to put the Rangers 3-2 ahead.
However, there was one final twist in the tail as Khari Sharrieff netted an 87th-minute equaliser for Wolves to share the spoils.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Bermuda Overseas Footballers & Coaches Round-Up
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Arsenal Women secured their place in the next stage of the Adobe Women's FA Cup with a professional 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Meadow Park.
Shaun Goater, the Aston Villa assistant coach and legendary former striker, watched from the dugout as the Gunners' quality ultimately told in a competitive fourth-round tie. Despite a resilient defensive display from Villa in the first half, the deadlock was broken shortly after the interval.
Stina Blackstenius poked home from close range to give the hosts the lead, before captain Kim Little doubled the advantage with a clinical finish on the hour mark. The result extends Arsenal's remarkable record of reaching the fifth round in every season for over three decades, while Goater and the Villa coaching staff will turn their focus back to their Women's Super League campaign.
Manchester City demonstrated their Women’s Super League pedigree with a ruthless 6-0 win over AFC Bournemouth to progress to the FA Cup fifth round.
Kenni Thompson and her Bournemouth teammates were given a raucous welcome by the home faithful at Totton, and the hosts started brightly, frustrating the top-flight leaders for much of the opening period. However, City’s relentless pressure eventually wore down the Cherries' resistance.
Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw opened the scoring in the 19th minute, before a devastating three-goal burst in just four minutes before half-time effectively ended the contest. Lauren Hemp and a Laura Coombs double gave City a 4-0 lead at the break. Second-half substitute Vivianne Miedema added two more to round off the scoring, though Thompson and the Bournemouth squad earned plaudits for their tireless work rate against one of the best sides in Europe.
In the North East Regional Women's Football League, Aaliyah Nolan helped Bradford City Women secure a gritty 1-0 win over Sunderland Women.
The Bermudian forward was a constant threat throughout the encounter at the Horsfall Stadium, leading the line as the Bantams looked to keep pace at the top of the table. In a game of few clear-cut openings, Bradford found the decisive breakthrough to claim all three points.
The victory continues a strong run of form for Nolan and her teammates, who remain firmly in the promotion hunt as the regional season enters a crucial stretch.
Keunna Dill and her FC United of Manchester Women teammates began their county cup run away against Bury FC Women at Gigg Lane.
Dill and her teammates would bow out of the tournament falling 3 - 1.
Baltimore Blast moved into fifth place in the Major Arena Soccer League standings after a dominant 12-7 victory over Utica City FC at the TU Arena.
David Bascome’s side established their authority early in a blistering opening quarter, racing into a four-goal lead thanks to 2 goals from Jonatas Melo alongside strikes from Chad Poarch and Kevaughn Frater. Although Utica attempted to claw their way back in the second frame with goals from Kyle Gehnrich and Barbaro Shelier, the Blast remained clinical. Alejandro Chavez and Frater restored the cushion before Melo completed his hat-trick in the seventh minute of the quarter. A late first-half effort from Poarch and a response from Utica’s Geo Alves saw the teams retreat for the interval with Baltimore firmly in command of a high-octane encounter.
The momentum stayed with the hosts following the break as Jairo Guevara and Frater both found the net within the opening minute of the third period to effectively end the contest as a spectacle. Despite a resilient third-quarter surge from Utica, which saw Geo Alves, Willie Spurr, and two further goals from Barbaro Shelier cut the deficit, Baltimore's veteran composure shone through in the final frame. Juan Pereira quelled any hopes of a dramatic comeback with two vital fourth-quarter goals.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Premier & First Division Table Changing Double Header
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The Dandy Town Hornets sting the PHC Zebras to leapfrog rivals in Premier Division summit clash, while Robin Hood maintain First Division momentum.
PREMIER DIVISION
PHC Zebras 0 Dandy Town Hornets 3
The Dandy Town Hornets have climbed to second in the Premier Division standings after a clinical 3-0 demolition of league leaders PHC Zebras at the PHC Stadium.
In a highly anticipated top-of-the-table encounter, the Hornets produced a first-half masterclass that left the hosts reeling. The breakthrough came in the 13th minute when Tomiko Goater stepped up to convert from the penalty spot following a handball in the area. Goater was at it again just two minutes later, catching the Zebras' goalkeeper off-guard with a powerful strike at the near post to double the advantage.
The Zebras' night went from bad to worse just before the half-hour mark. A defensive lapse at the back allowed Kamali Davis to pounce, firing home a third to effectively end the contest before the interval. While the second half saw both sides spurn chances to alter the scoreline, the damage was already done. The victory sees the Hornets move ahead of the Zebras in the race for the title, leaving the Warwick-based side to reflect on a rare off-day at home.
FIRST DIVISION
Robin Hood 2 St. David’s 1
Robin Hood have strengthened their grip on the top of the First Division after edging out St. David’s in a hard-fought 2-1 victory at the PHC Stadium.
The match carried significant weight for the league leaders, who were eager to avenge a 1-0 defeat suffered at the hands of the same opponents earlier in the season. With the Somerset Trojans breathing down their necks in the promotion race, Hood found the opening they needed in the 31st minute. Keishen Bean, the division’s leading marksman, lived up to his billing by finding the back of the net to give his side a slender lead at the break.
The contest remained on a knife-edge for much of the second period until Tokia Bean provided the breathing room Hood craved, netting a second in the 75th minute. St. David’s refused to go quietly and set up a grandstand finish when Aaron Paynter pulled one back deep into stoppage time. However, it proved too little too late as the league leaders held on to secure three vital points in their bid for a return to the top flight.
