be crowned this weekend.

PHC made certain of that with a hard-fought win over the Red Devils on Boxing Day at Wellington Oval, after being gifted two goals in the first half.

The Zebras kept alive their hopes of a record seventh title, though they must survive another must-win situation today at Bernard Park (2.30) against Vasco.

The two defensive mistakes by Village eventually proved to be the decisive moments as they became the first team to be eliminated in the double-elimination tournament.

Last year Village lost their opening match before bouncing back to win the trophy for a fourth time. PHC, too, have been that route before, so PHC coach Sammy Swan knows they still have a good chance.

"Mostly, all the times we have taken it we went the long way,'' said Swan after Sunday's win.

Swan scored the extra-time winner for Vasco in the second match when they beat Devonshire Colts in the two-leg final on New Year's Day 1998 at Wellington Oval. He was also in the PHC team when they won three straight years between 1987-88 and '90-91.

Now his current team and former team will battle for the right to meet Colts in the final, the first leg of which will be held on Thursday.

"I think we have a chance,'' said a confident Swan. "Vasco are a good team with good people behind them but it's just a matter of who wants it the most.'' With strikers Kenny Mills (groin) and Stephen Astwood both carrying injuries (Astwood was on the bench), PHC retained the same front line of Duval Wilson, McLee Smith and college student Kevin Richards.

Smith, who must have thought he had received all his Christmas presents, was presented with another in the 13th minute when, from a harmless back pass, goalkeeper Zane Hendrickson completely missed his intended clearance.

Smith, standing nearby, was quick to pounce as Hendrickson lost his balance and he had the simple task of scoring into an open goal.

North Village continued to attempt to string passes together and went close after a move involving Jemeiko Jennings and Elliott Jennings created an opening on the far side for Dwight Warren to blast over the top.

The equaliser was quick in coming as brother Kevin and Kentoine Jennings combined to pull Village level in the 18th minute. Kevin took the corner on the right and Kentoine found the roof of the net with a firm header.

Both teams battled for the lead with McLee Smith's shot dropping inches over the bar and then Randy Spence going close after pushing forward to join a Village raid on the left side. From what looked an intended cross, 'keeper Corby Durrant had to scramble to keep the ball from going in under the bar.

Another error in the Village defence gifted PHC the lead five minutes before the break, when Richards nipped in to intercept a back pass by Spence which was intended for Kentoine Jennings and tucked a low shot into the corner with Jennings ending up in the goal trying to keep it out.

Neil Robinson twice went close either side of the half, including just 30 seconds after the restart when his low, hard cross from the left to the far post was parried by Durrant but with no one following up on the loose ball.

PHC virtually sealed the match in the 58th minute when Otis Steede got into the box and supplied a cross for a shot which Jennings cleared off the line.

He then headed off the line but before the ball was cleared, Steede followed up to score from close range.

Continued on page 27.

Zebras hang on to oust Red Devils Continued from page 25 The two-goal deficit didn't deter the Red Devils who went close immediately with a Dwight Warren header grazing the bar. But PHC's direct approach seldom allowed Village to relax in defence as Richards, Wilson and Smith worked tirelessly.

Village sub Tafari Outerbridge had a shot from an angle on the left side of the box cleared off the line at the far post. But moments later their determination finally produced a second goal when Warren made it 3-2 with a clinical piece of finishing inside the box in the 70th minute.

That goal set the stage for an interesting final 20 minutes as Village threw everything at their opponents, with Kentoine Jennings also joining their attack.

The relentless pressure had Swan, calm and relaxed throughout most of the match, off the bench and shouting at his players, sweeper Roderick Lewis in particular.

During the final 10 minutes Swan gambled with Astwood's injury by bringing him on in the hopes of producing another goal.

"I held him back as long as I could,'' said the coach of his top scorer.

Injuries could be a telling factor for both PHC and Vasco as the winners of tomorrow's match face having to play four matches in seven days.

PHC: J.Durrant; E.Hunt (D.Wainwright 89min), R.Lewis, D.Outerbridge, C.Dowling, S.Lewis, O.Steede, V.Ball, K.Richards, D.Wilson (S.Astwood 81min), M.Smith.

North Village: Z.Hendrickson; M.Dill, Kent.Jennings, K.Binns, R.Spence, J.Jennings, Kev.Jennings (J.Boyles 81min),M.Hansey, E.Jennings (T.Outerbridge 62min), D.Warren, N.Robinson.

Referee: Richard Knight Men of the match: McLee Smith (PHC), Dwight Warren (Village) Yellow cards: M.Smith, D.Outerbridge (PHC) Today's match at Bernard Park will be preceded by an Shell Under-21 Youth Cup match between Somerset and Boulevard at 12.30 p.m.