PHC 0 Paget 1

PHC head coach Quincy Hunt was sent off as the Premier Division champions lost at home to Paget Lions in blustery conditions at PHC Field on Sunday.

Hunt was sent off for foul and abusive language towards referee Anthony Francis in the 48th minute with his side 1-0 down after Diaje Hart converted a first-half penalty for Paget.

The loss for PHC dents their hopes of retaining the title, with a four point-gap now between them and new Premier Division leaders Dandy Town, who beat Wolves 2-0 on Sunday.

Paget head coach Antwan Russell was pleased with the win and praised Hart for his leadership.

“Diaje is our captain for a reason,” Russell said. “I trust him in big moments and he delivered from the spot.”

Beaten on New Year’s Day by Town in the Friendship Trophy final, PHC attempted to keep the ball along the floor early with Paget setting up to frustrate their opponents.

The home side struggled to play their way through a congested midfield as Paget kept a disciplined and compact shape throughout, forcing PHC to play through the wide areas, but Paget effectively neutralised the pace and skill of wingers Haile Eve and Harlem Bean-Fox whenever they had space in dangerous positions.

Paget increased their aggression as they recognised the profligacy of PHC in possession and they created the first meaningful opportunity midway through the first half when Hart clipped a ball in behind the PHC defence for Shakir Smith to chase, but the striker lashed his effort wide.

Paget continued to push the league champions back and Tristen Davis had a shot blocked from just outside the area, but he would be the catalyst for the breakthrough as a Paget corner was poorly cleared by the PHC defence.

Bermuda international Daniel Cook picked up the loose ball and slipped Davis into space. The midfielder drove to the goalline inside the box before being brought down by Caleb McDowall. Hart drove the resulting penalty through the despairing arms of PHC goalkeeper Quinaceo Hunt to give Paget a deserved lead at half-time.

PHC’s efforts to get back into the game early in the second half were not helped by coach Hunt’s red card, but his dismissal provoked a reaction with his side pushing for an equaliser despite a lack of quality in the final third.

However, Paget knew that one more goal would put the game to bed given the home side's poor performance, and they brought on Delray Rawlins to add a different dimension to their attack.

They nearly achieved that two-goal cushion with five minutes left, but Rawlins’s poor first touch, after being found by Shakir Smith, led to him dragging his shot wide of the near post.

PHC gave everything to break down the Paget defense, but the visitors held firm for the clean sheet and a deserved three points.

SCORERS

Paget Lions: Hart 38 pen

TEAMS

PHC Zebras (4-3-3): Quinaceo Hunt 6 – D Usher 5, A Astwood 6, D Smith-Davis 5, D Smith-Lightbourne 5 – C McDowall 5 (sub: K Bean, 62min 5), K Abraham 6, J Ebbin 5 (sub: M Davis, 78) – T Showers 5 (sub: J Joseph, 57 5), H Eve 5 (sub: X Smith, 78), H Bean-Fox 5. Substitutes not used: A Wade, Y Burgess, J Simons. Sent off: Quincy Hunt (coach).

Paget Lions (4-3-3): J Morrissey 7 – K Simons 6 (sub: J Stovell, 79), R Deshields 6, J Carpenter 6, D Cook 5 – T Davis 6 (sub: D Joell, 86), B Furbert 5, D Hart 7 – N Carpenter 6, S Smith 5, R Russell 5 (sub: D Rawlins, 66 5). Substitutes not used: S Bean, K Durrant, D Stovell, A Russell. Booked: Cook, Rawlins.

Referee: A Francis