Bajans win Dudley Eve Trophy

HAMILTON: Barbados, behind two goals from Gregory Goodridge, have whipped Bermuda 4-0 in their international football match for the Dudley Eve Memorial Trophy at the National Sports Centre. Goodridge, a former England-based professional, notched the third and fourth goals, after John Parris and Llewellyn Riley had sent the visitors 2-0 up on a 10-man Bermuda line-up. Bermuda’s Meshach Wade was sent off by referee Lyndon Raynor in the 28th minute for head-butting Barbados midfielder Norman Forde. With the win, Barbados became the first ever overseas team to win the Dudley Eve Trophy as they completed a sweep of their three-game series here, having defeated Bermuda 2-1 in a Boxing Day friendly, and top club team Dandy Town 4-0 yesterday. Parris sent Barbados ahead after only six minutes and short-handed Bermuda were unable to prevent to the visiting side from pumping in another three goals in the second half.

Riley made it 2-0 on 51 minutes, and Goodridge, who played in England for Torquay United, Queen’s Park Rangers, Bristol City and Cheltenham, sealed the win with strikes in the 74th and 76th minutes. Both teams are preparing for CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers this year. Bermuda open against little-rated Montserrat in the first round in February, while Barbados begin play from the second round stage in June against the winner of the St Kitts & Nevis/US Virgin Islands first round tie.