PHC 1 Wolves 4

Top Dudley Eve Trophy qualifiers PHC were rocked by Furman College star John Barry Nusum and his Wolves team-mates in the competition's opening match last night at Devonshire Rec.

With Wolves' coach Dennis Brown opting to keep the appearance of Nusum a secret, many of his club fans might have been deprived of seeing a player destined for a professional career tear the heart out of the Premier Division leaders, a team who have won this title six times.

A starter for Wolves, Nusum laid his authority on the game early by firmly heading home the opening goal from a Jarred Peniston corner after just nine minutes. And then he steered home his second and the club's third goal after 57 minutes, again putting the finishing touches with a shot after another Peniston corner.

The second Nusum goal, which put Wolves ahead 3-1, knocked the stuffing out of a spirited PHC team who seemed capable of getting back into the game when Wolves were reduced to 10 men after having forward Khari Sharrieff sent off after 44 minutes for kicking goalkeeper Dennis Joell.

It was fitting when Nusum received thunderous and much deserved applause when he was substituted for Anthony Webb after 66 mintues with the score then 4-1 and Wolves firmly in control.

After Nusum had put Wolves ahead PHC fought back bravely with Stephen Astwood spearheading most of their raids.

With Nusum left stranded upfield as his midfielders struggled to retain their early dominance, PHC threatened for long spells.

Then Wolves got a shock when they were reduced to 10 players, Sharrieff dismissed by referee Stuart Crockwell for foolishly kicking goalkeeper Joell after muffing a cross by the hard-working Nakia Smith.

It was Smith who then came through with the goal of the game, fiercely striking a half-volley home from 10 yards after Sekai Waldron crossed from the right. A soft goal by Astwood after 47 minutes gave PHC the momentum they needed to get back into the game, but after looking likely to equalise, Nusum delivered a cruel blow when he scored from close range after 57 minutes.

With the score now 3-1, PHC still had some hope of staging a dramatic fightback, but Wolves were not finished with surprises.

After 63 minutes they produced the killer fourth goal with Smith and Vince Minors teaming up and the latter scoring from 14 yards to end PHC's challenge.

PHC: D.Joell; J.Sealy, S.Lewis, D.Outerbridge, C.Dowling; O.Steede, N.Simons (J.Mallory, 35 mins), A.Washington (J.Raynor, 58 mins), S.Russell (C.Furbert, 59 mins); R.Lightbourne, S.Astwood.

Wolves: C.Durrant; S.Waldron, K.Parfitt, A.Thomas, T.Davis; J.Warren, J.Peniston, N.Smith; V.Minors, J.Nusum (A.Webb, 66 mins), K.Sharrieff.

Bookings: K.Sharrieff (Wolves) Red; S.Waldron (Wolves) yellow; J.Sealy (PHC) yellow.

Men of the match: S.Astwood (PHC); J.Nusum (Wolves).

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.