Southampton Rangers 2

PHC Zebras 0

Two goals in six minutes was the difference between Southampton Rangers and PHC as the hosts walked away with a 2-0 victory over their tenants at Southampton Oval.

Goals from skipper Kamen Tucker and Marricko Iris paced Rangers to the victory, a victory that could be the difference in staying in the top flight or relegation sorrows.

"The points are very crucial to us considering we were close to the bottom," said Tucker.

"We knew we could win but we needed to be confident in what we wanted to do.

"The win brings us up closer to those above us."

Tucker drilled home his spot kick in the 18th minute to put the home side up 1-0 after Keemo Smith was bought down by Zebras captain Chris Furbert in the area after being beat to a loose pass by Cecoy Robinson put his side in danger.

Zebras had more then enough chances to level matters, with Johnny Ball driving a cross into the box that Lloyd Holder was inches away from bundling over the line.

That was to be the story of PHC's day as wave after wave of attack was denied by stout defending and poor decision making when given the chance to get back in the match.

And the second goal was what Rangers justly deserved, with Iris outpacing the Zebras back four, and slotting his chance under the body of goalkeeper Jay Smith midway through the first half.

The second half was all PHC, with the defending champions dominating the possession for long spells without any success at breaking down the Ranger defence.

Holder was again in the mix for Zebras, but his attempt at a spectacular overhead kick was futile and yet another chance went begging when it seemed harder to miss then score.

Right back Fabian Frankson was next to try his luck after being gifted a chance to pull his side back into the match, but instead of taking a touch to steady himself, he opted to use the outside of the boot and sliced his opportunity well wide of the target.

With time running out, Zebras coach Kyle Lightbourne bought on three strikers in an attempt to rescue the match that was slipping away from his side.

One of the substitutes, Quinton Burgess, thought he had scored for his side in latter stages but a goal line header from Jahma Charles made sure the score didn't change.

The ensuing corner produced a goalmouth scramble that saw Furbert have his shot cleared off the line by Anthony Rocker.

The match summed up PHC's season, while Rangers are now level on points with PHC, behind them by a single goal in the goal difference column.

"The season is still early, we play on Tuesday night so we must now focus on what needs to be done in that game," Tucker continued.

"It was important to get the early goal because we were at home and we kept going at them.

"In the second half we knew they would have to attack and come at us, so we sat back and marked tight.

"These points will go a long way to us staying up."

Southampton Rangers - J.Smith, K.Tucker, J.Charles, A.Rocker, K.Simmons, T.Brown, K.Smith, J.Dill (T. Flood 88) , M.Iris, J.Bean (M.Williams 69), R.Simons

PHC Zebras- J.Smith, C.Dowling, O.Shakir, K.Richards, F.Frankson (S.Astwood 78), C.Furbert, B.Bean (K.Lambe 60), K. Lewis, J.Ball, L.Holder (Q.Burgess 60), C.Robinson

Referee: R. Cann

Man of the Match: K. Smith (Rangers)