Somerset Trojans 2 PHC Zebras 2 (aet; 2-2 at 90min; PHC win 4-1 on pens)

PHC Zebras may have ended this gripping contest with nine men, but their numerical disadvantage did not stop them from eliminating Somerset Trojans from the FA Cup on penalties in an absorbing encounter at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday.

The visitors started with attacking intent, with Trojans sitting far too deep and taking a passive approach as PHC called the shots in the opening stages.

Whenever the hosts were able to get the ball, they lacked precision in their play and struggled to complete more than five passes in any single sequence early on, even though the Premier Division champions had a hard time breaking down their First Division rivals in the early exchanges.

PHC finally made the breakthrough midway through the first half when Trojans allowed them far too much space to pass. T’syi Showers clipped a ball forward for Enrique Russell, who turned and played a through ball for Antonio Wade.

The attacker made no mistake with his sharp turn and finish past Trojans goalkeeper Jaire Shields.

Trojans got back on terms when Keyni Mills collected a pass from Kymani McNeil and drove into a pocket of space near midfield. He set himself before curling a beautiful effort past the despairing dive of Zebras goalkeeper Quinaceo Hunt into the far corner. The equaliser gave Trojans confidence to play with a quicker tempo.

The speed of Trojans’ passing allowed them to utilise the pace of Mills and Jahni Ratteray and force Zebras into several lapses of concentration. Jaellan Greaves played a corner short to Mills, who drove a cross low into the penalty area where Trojans captain Jadan Ratteray-Smith cheekily back-heeled his finish into the near post past Hunt to give the home side a half-time lead.

Zebras suffered an injury blow just before the break, with Dakari Smith-Davis being replaced by Keishon Bean.

They assumed control for the majority of the second half, pinning Somerset back at every opportunity with their intense pressure.

This high press forced Trojans to struggle in possession and allowed Zebras to dominate territory. They equalised from a free kick which Bean lifted in towards Wade, who chested down for Haile Eve to set his feet and roll the ball into the net.

Bermuda defender Jaylon Bather was sent off with five minutes remaining in normal time, ensuring Zebras went into extra time a man down.

Both sides pushed hard for the winner in the extra period. Trojans keeper Shields made a vital reflex save off a low effort by Zebras substitute Yeshai Burgess, while Mills narrowly missed the chance to score the winning goal when his curling effort squeezed past the far post.

In an intense game that went to the wire, tempers flared before the end of extra time, with Haile Eve shown a second yellow card to leave Zebras with only nine players for the shoot-out.

Each side converted their opening penalty, but Trojans blinked first under pressure when Paris Robinson had his tame kick saved by Hunt. Michari Tear-DeLeon lashed his spot-kick over the bar to give Zebras a clear advantage.

Kadeem Abraham stepped up and rolled the winning kick down the middle to send the visitors into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Zebras keeper Hunt was pleased with the outcome but critical of the performance: “We never make it easy for ourselves,” he said. “Individual mistakes led to their goals today.”

SCORERS

Somerset Trojans: Mills 26, Ratteray-Smith 34

PHC Zebras: Wade 22, Eve 73

TEAMS

Somerset Trojans (4-2-3-1): J Shields 6 — Kameron McNeil 6, T Outerbridge 5, C Durham 5, M Tear-DeLeon 5 — J Greaves 6, P Robinson 6 — J Ratteray 6 (sub: P Dill, 65 5; sub: T Wade, 108), J Ratteray-Smith 7, K Mills 7 — Kymani McNeil 6 (sub: K Cann, 71 5). Substitutes not used: J Simmons, M Eve, J Harvey, C White. Booked: Greaves, Outerbridge, Robinson.

PHC Zebras (4-3-3): Q Hunt 7 — D Usher 5, J Bather 5, D Smith-Lightbourne 5, K Abraham 6 — T Showers 6, D Smith-Davis 5 (sub: K Bean 43 6), J Ebbin 5 (sub: X Smith, 63 5) — H Eve 5, E Russell 6, A Wade 6 (sub: Y Burgess, 97 5). Substitutes not used: T Bean, J Belboda-Raveneau, J Hassell, M Wilson. Booked: Showers, Eve, Russell, Bather, Burgess. Sent off: Bather, Eve.

Referee: D Jackson.