Wolves 1 PHC Zebras 2

Kadeem Abraham's second half winner bolstered PHC Zebras’ chances of advancing beyond the group stage of the Dudley Eve Trophy at Devonshire Rec last night.

The in-form midfielder capitalised on some poor defending to finally settle a scrappy affair after team-mate Jahiem Iris and Wolves’s Kyden Browne traded goals in the first half to leave the game wide open at the interval.

The result leaves Zebras second in group A behind leaders Hamilton Parish, who edged Dandy Town 1-0 on Leroy Lewis' stoppage time winner from the penalty spot in the second match of a double header.

Zebras stalwart Abraham, who has scored four goals in three outings this season, attributed his prolific form to the hard work he has been put in on the training ground.

“We have been working and it is paying off. It’s just the work that we have put in and I am just happy to keep it going (goal streak) and get the three points today,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“We needed three points coming off that draw to keep us in a good position so I think it’s definitely a big three points.

“I am happy with my personal form. Obviously there’s always work to be done but I am happy with where I am at now.”

The 35-year-old has already netted half as many goals he scored last season which he hopes to surpass during this campaign.

“The target is 15 this season but even if I don’t meet that I just want to win,” Abraham added.

Zebras coach Quincy Hunt was also pleased to get a first win under his belt in the competition.

“We got a win so that puts us in a good position,” he said. “Every win is important and you always want to win.

“We are just working right now. We are got little pieces with guys playing out of position and are just trying to work guys and it’s still early.

“Big respect to Wolves for coming up from last game to this game. They brought a little more fight and showed a little more effort.”

Wolves came charging out of the blocks and applied some early pressure on Premier Division champions Zebras.

Zebras gradually grew into the contest and took the lead when Iris tapped in fellow midfielder Harlem Bean-Fox’s pull back in the box from close range on a quick break down the right channel.

But Wolves refused to roll over and were back on even terms through midfielder Browne’s exquisite finish. Wolves goalkeeper Chiquon Smith’s long kick upfield was not dealt with, which allowed Brown to pounce on the loose ball and lob onrushing Zebras goalkeeper Coleridge Fubler to give Wolves hope.

Zebras came agonisingly close to regaining the lead when defender and captain Daren Usher struck the post with a vicious strike from all of 40 yards, with Smith a mere spectator.

Hunt was then forced to make an unscheduled substitution when goalkeeper Fubler landed awkwardly and suffered a blow to the head during a Wolves raid on goal.

Abraham finally settled matters when he latched onto defender De-Aun Lodge’s long pass over the top and calmly stroked the ball into the far bottom corner to bolster his team’s chances of advancing to the quarter-finals while delivering a hammer blow to Wolves’ hopes of progressing beyond the group stage.

Zebras created further chances to put the match well beyond their opponent's but were denied by Smith, who pulled off a string of brilliant saves coming down the home stretch.

Wolves were also denied a late equaliser after substitute Torque Outerbridge dragged his effort wide from the left side of the area.

Despite coming up short on the night, Wolves coach Marcelos Thomas hailed his team’s effort.

“The aggression and desire stood out for me and that’s one thing that we talked about on the training ground, the desire to want to be out here and to compete and that showed tonight,” he said.

“We have quite a few injuries right now but these guys came out here and tested their mettle against the league champions and I feel like they over performed. They done well and I am very proud of the guys tonight.”

SCORERS

Wolves: Browne, 27

PHC: Iris, 17, Abraham, 51

TEAMS

Wolves (3-5-2): C Smith 8 - L Paynter 6 (sub: T Outerbridge, 78min), A Butterfield, 7, D Botelho 6 (sub: K Smith, 64 6) - J Martin 7, M Ming 7 (sub: R Ford II, 84), K Sharrieff 7, K Browne 8, A Brangman 7 - K Brangman 6, S Wild 6. Substitutes not used: G Minors, L Matthews.

PHC Zebras (4-1-4-1): C Fubler 6 (sub: Q Hunt, 45+3 7)- D Smith- Lightbourne 7, T Bean 7 (sub:S Harvey, 82), D Lodge 7, D Usher 7 - K Abraham 8- R Simmons 6 (sub: T Showers, 46 7), J Iris 7, H Bean-Fox 7, Z Lee 7 - D Wainwright 6 (sub: H Eve, 75 6). Substitutes not used: A Wade, K Bean, D Smith Davis.

Referee: T Adams.