PHC 11 Wolves 2

PHC showed their ruthless nature by capitalising on more or less every attack to reach double figures against newly promoted Wolves at PHC Stadium yesterday.

Wolves came out of the blocks against their West End counterparts with impressive attacking intent, and they quickly opened the scoring from a counter attack, which culminated with Khari Sharieff firing a beautiful effort into the top right corner past helpless PHC goalkeeper Quinaceo Hunt.

But the reigning Premier Division champions responded with a rapid equaliser when Haile Eve was found via a beautiful through ball from skipper Keishon Bean before the winger placed a beautiful low finish past Chiquon Smith.

The turnaround was quickly completed as Wolves failed to clear their lines from an inswinging corner by Bean, and Kadeem Abraham was on hand to touch the ball past the outstretched arms of Smith in just the seventh minute.

Wolves would have been frustrated at the ease and speed with which they gave away their early advantage, and the PHC goals continued to flow with Eve turning provider after being fed by another defence-splitting pass by Bean and squaring for D’Andre Wainwright to tap in from close range.

Wolves continued to show effort and determination and cut the deficit to one goal when Marcus Ming followed up a thunderous strike by Antoine Brangman that struck the crossbar with an accurate strike into the empty net past Hunt.

Neither side truly took full control of the first half but PHC were far more decisive in their attacking approach and restored their two-goal buffer when Daren Usher showed perfect technique with a free-kick from about 25 yards, curling it in with his left foot beyond a despairing Smith.

PHC made it five from a quick break just before half time after Jayden Ebbin stole a loose ball in midfield. He exchanged passes with Abraham, who fed Jahiem Iris to open his account and extinguish any hopes of an improbable Wolves comeback.

Wolves came out from the half-time break with perhaps tired legs and minds and PHC showcased their togetherness and fitness as they blew away any Wolves resistance.

Haile Eve produced a decisive performance of control and skill by completing his hat-trick with two goals in the first twelve minutes of the second half, one from distance and the other from close range helped heavily by goalkeeping errors from the forlorn Smith.

Iris picked up his second goal of the afternoon, assisted by Jayden Ebbin, before PHC showcased their squad depth.

Ebbin, who came on for a disgruntled Diondre Dowling, scored a wonderful strike from the edge of the 18-yard box past substitute keeper Lejaun Matthews to make it nine.

Two of the young players who joined the rout midway through the second half, Haelem Bean-Fox and Antonio Wade, also made contributions to the already emphatic scoreline.

Bean-Fox cut inside and gave keeper Matthews the eyes before finishing into the near post, while Wade latched on to a soft cross by Jenico Sealey to prod the loose ball home and wrap up the goalfest.

Scorers:

PHC Zebras: Eve 5, 46, 56; Abraham 7; Wainwright 12; Usher 28; Iris 45, 59; Ebbin 72; Bean-Fox 76; Wade 85

Wolves 2

Sharrieff 4; Ming 19

TEAMS

PHC Zebras (4-2-3-1): Q Hunt 6; D Smith-Lightbourne 6, J Bather 7, D Lodge 6, D Usher 6; D Dowling 4 (sub: J Ebbin, 30 min 6), K Abraham 6; H Eve 8 (sub: H Bean-Fox, 64 7), K Bean 6 (sub: D Smith-Davis, 64 5), J Iris 7 (sub: A Wade, 73); D Wainwright 6 (sub: J Sealey, 64 5). Substitutes not used: S Harvey, T Bean. Booked: Eve.

Wolves (3-4-3): C Smith 3 (sub: J Matthews, 61 5); D Botelho 5 (sub: K Smith, 61 4), J Martin 5, J Minors 4 (sub L Paynter, 61 5); T Outerbridge 4 (sub: G Minors, 61 5), K Browne 6, S Richardson 4 (sub: M Iris, 61 5), A Brangman 4; K Sharrieff 7, K Brangman 4, M Ming 5. Substitutes not used: A Butterfield. Booked: Richardson, J Minors, Matthews.

Referee: T Derry (Trinidad) 7