It proved to be a weekend of tight margins and abrupt exits for Bermuda’s coaching and playing contingent abroad, with several dreams dashed in high-stakes football across the United States and England.
Head coach Khano Smith saw his highly successful Rhode Island FC season come to a close in the USL Championship Eastern Conference Final. In a tense, defensive battle at Highmark Stadium, Rhode Island fell 1-0 to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Despite guiding his team to a formidable play-off run, the final step proved just beyond their reach, marking the end of their 2025 campaign.
Meanwhile, in England, there was frustration on the touchlines. Assistant coach Shaun Goater watched as his Aston Villa Women’s side went down 3-1 to London City Lionesses at Villa Park. And at Loftus Road, goalkeeper coach Dashun Cooper saw his QPR Women’s team battle out a dramatic 2-2 draw with Luton Town Ladies Football Club.
The FA Trophy presented a challenging debut for recently signed Ajani Burchall at Wimborne Town FC, the club that secured the former AFC Bournemouth and Aston Villa academy product. Burchall and his teammates exited the competition, falling 1-0 after Chatham Town snatched a late, late winner.
However, there were reasons for Bermuda to celebrate in the women’s non-league pyramid. Jasmine Spence helped power her Newport Pagnell Town Women’s teammates to a third consecutive road victory, securing a comfortable 3-0 win over Stanground Cardea Sports Ladies.
Eva Frazzoni also advanced in cup competition as her AFC Sudbury Women’s teammates took on the Stowupland Falcons in the Suffolk Women’s FA Cup at the Elite Travel Stadium, with Frazzoni and her side progressing easily with a decisive victory.
In another strong defensive performance, K’shaela Burch-Waldron and her Sutton United Women F.C. teammates defeated Newhaven Women 3-0. Burch-Waldron was instrumental in setting up the opening goal, which ultimately proved to be the winner, delivering a perfect through ball to Emma Spear who rounded the Newhaven goalkeeper before slotting into the empty net.
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