5/6/2009 10:58:00 AM It was a night of firsts for Bermuda
Hogges take honours
Two goals in two games saw Hogges winger Domico Coddington crowned as the USL 2 player of the week.
The midfield playmaker came off the bench to score against Real Maryland Monarchs on the road last weekend and then netted the vital opener in the Hogges first home game against Harrisburg City Islanders.
The increasingly influential Coddington also played a huge part in the Hogges second goal against Harrisburg when he was pulled down in the box.
Russell and Shakir
Antwan Russell slotted home the penalty kick to give the Hogges a 2-0 lead. They survived a late barrage from Harrisburg to hold out for a 2-1 win, their first of the season.
Russell, who had linked up well with Coddington for the first goal, was also included in the USL 2 Team of the Week along with captain Omar Shakir who put in a solid shift at the back.
By Paul Scope
We pulled off a victory in our first home game of the season against previously top-of-the-table Harrisburg City Islanders.
In achieving this win, we established a few firsts for our young franchise.
We had never beaten Harrisburg, in five previous attempts and, indeed had never beaten one of the perennial top teams, Harrisburg, Charlotte or Richmond (who we play in our next game, this Saturday, 7pm kick off).
Antwan Russell also got his first goal for the Hogges and I expect that to be the first of many as right away he looks comfortable at this level.
I believe it is also the first time we have had a player score in two consecutive games, so Domico Coddington also achieved a first.
While not a statistic, the way we played was, if not a first, a rarity.
We did what Kyle (Lightbourne) and Jack (Castle) asked and stuck to the game plan by denying them space to play and denying them space behind our defensive line.
I honestly believe they ran out of ideas midway through the second half and allowed us to take charge of the game and get the two-goal lead that proved (just) sufficient, on the night.
By staying in the game and not conceding until late on, it meant we gave ourselves a chance of a positive result.
Far too many times in the past, we have chased a game and fell behind to the point of no return.
Kyle was pleased but not satisfied at the end of the game. It was a great result, but he knows we are capable of playing even better and we will need to against Richmond.
Kyle, Shaun (Goater) and I believe that Richmond are the best footballing team in the league and they gave us a lesson both home and away last year.
We lost 4-1 for the second consecutive year at Richmond in early June last year, but that was mild compared to the 7-1 hammering they gave us at the National Stadium later in the same month.
Having said that we played those two games right around the National team's World Cup campaign, which severely hampered our preparations during that period.
Thankfully, we don't have to worry about that this year and we expect a much closer game this time around.
In their captain, Mike Burke, Richmond probably has the most creative player in the league and he once again is top of the assist charts in USL-2.
Antwan and Domico also feature in the points leader top ten and I expect one or both of them to be featured in the USL-2 team of the Week. The crowd last Friday was in great voice and we look forward to seeing another good crowd this Saturday night.
Off the field we had a good weekend, too. The vast majority of our players donned their Hogges gear and assisted at the End-to-End event, launching our community partnership with the Centre on Philanthropy. Look for more Hogges involvement in the community as we develop as a club and an integral part of the fabric of Bermuda.
