Dandy Town 1 PHC 1

Kadeem Abraham’s late equaliser earned PHC a point in their opening Dudley Eve Trophy group match against Dandy Town at Devonshire Rec on Friday night.

Town took the lead late in the first half when Nizigh Spence got a deft touch to Goater’s cross in the box. However, PHC hit back late in the second half when Town defender Edry Moore slipped while attempting to cut out substitute Zakiya Lee’s pass in the area and Abraham slotted home.

There was still time for Town to have a huge late chance but midfielder Tomiko Goater dragged his shot wide after racing clear on goal.

Both teams enjoyed plenty of possession but clear-cut opportunities at either end were far and few between during a physical and fast-paced contest, with neither team able to fully assert their authority.

In the end a draw was perhaps the best result with both camps satisfied to have come away with a point.

“I was pleased with the output in the game,” newly installed Town coach Kyle Lightbourne said after his first game at the helm.

“We put a game plan in place and tried to frustrate PHC. I haven’t had them for a very long time and we pushed a very good team. PHC were missing a few players but we pushed a very good team.”

PHC captain Abraham added: “It was a tough one. A physical battle at both ends. Some of the calls didn’t go our way and some didn’t go their way but all in all I think it was a fair result.

“‘They got a bit of luck in the first half with that goal and I got a bit of luck with Edry slipping and I put mine away, so I think one point is a fair result in a tough match.”

Scorers:

Dandy Town: Spence 35

PHC: Abraham 73

TEAMS

Dandy Town (4-2-3-1): J Manders 7 – T Webb 7, E Moore 7, E Blankendal 8, E Outerbridge 7 – A Daniels 8 (sub: A Furbert, 82min), A Lewis 7 (sub: J Bean-Lindo, 62, 7) – N Spence 8, T Goater 7, J Furbert 7 (sub: T Gibbons, 82) - J Samuels 6 (sub: O Lowe, 62, 6). Substitutes not used: T Smith, D Butterfield, A Harvey. Booked: Lewis

PHC (3-5-2): Q Hunt 7 – D Smith-Lightbourne 7, D Dowling 7, D Lodge 7 – K Abraham 8, K Bean 7 (sub: S Harvey, 82), J Iris 7, T Bean 7, H Bean- Fox 7 – A Wade 7 (sub: Z Lee, 46), D Wainwright 7. Substitutes not used: C Fubler, R Simmons, R Wilson, M Wilson, D Smith Davis.

Referee: J Springer (Barbados).