PHC 3Southampton Rangers 2Rangers threatened to destroy PHC’s championship intentions when they rebounded from a 3-0 deficit after 52 minutes to rally and score two goals and come close to equalising before their fightback fell short at Southampton Oval yesterday.The Premier Division match-up between league challengers PHC and Rangers struggling to avoid slipping into the thick of a relegation battle saw both teams playing with uncertainty but PHC still able to dominate possession in the opening half by gaining a comfortable 2-0 lead by the interval.They struck early and were unlucky not to score twice within the first minute when Rangers’ defender Mike Williams was forced to clear the ball off the goal line and then within seconds PHC midfielder Chris Furbert sent a thunderbolt off the bar from 18 yards.With Rangers reeling with a defence in complete disarray the inevitable opening goal for PHC came after six minutes when an unmarked Antwan Russell rifled the ball home from 11 yards.Rangers were unable to find any sort of rhythm after falling behind, allowing PHC to venture forward with confidence and almost at will whenever they wanted.A second goal almost came PHC’s way after 27 minutes but Blenn Bean’s teasing 24 yarder forced Jason Smith in the Rangers goal to dive to his left and push the ball wide for a corner.Five minutes later the hard-pressed Rangers’ defence was to yield once more, this time Kimisi Lightbourne coolly controlled a cross from Blenn Bean to tap home PHC’s second goal.Rangers were to respond with three corners while front players Dennis Russell and Adrian Burrows, well guarded by the defence, had to resort to long-range shots in hope of finding the Rangers’ opener.With Rangers still unable to fine any grove Aquino Grant seemed to put the result out of reach for PHC when he teamed up with Antwan Russell before Grant was able to tap the third goal home from close range after 52 minutes.Somehow Rangers became inspired and put their opponents under intense pressure for a long spell during which time Adrian Burrows penetrated to move into several goal-worthy position only to finish off poorly by heading or shooting wide of goal.Dennis Russell came close to getting Rangers’ first after 65 minutes but his blast went straight at goalkeeper Glasford from 24 yards.Burrows then followed this up with a number of close calls, a few seeing the player turning efforts with his head just wide or over the goal from goalscoring positions.After 68 minutes Kemon Simmons curled in a right-wing corner to bring some life into the contest for Rangers and their fans. PHC were now looking unsettled and allowed Rangers to come into the game with growing confidence.Jermaine Dill put Rangers in a more challenging position with their second goal from close in after 80 minutes and for the remainder of the game both teams had scoring chances with Glasford pushing away a blast from Russell and Smith pushing over a dangerous shot from striker Grant.PHC: R Glasford, M Lambe, R Richardson, O Shakir, S Philpott (Q Burgess, 79), K Lightbourne, C Furbert, K Lambe, A Grant; A Russell, B Bean. Subs not used: D Baxter, S Codrington, W Sinclair, L.Holder.Yellow cards: Q Burgess, K Lightbourne.Southampton Rangers: J Smith, M.Williams, I Mallory, D Charles, K Simmons, J Charles, V Perinchief, J Dill, J Caisey (E Albouy, 64), A Burrows, D Russell. Subs not used: T Wilkinson, K Symonds, S Williams.Yellow cards: K Simmons, D Charles.Referee: R CannMan of the match: A Grant (PHC).