PHC 0 North Village 2

Two quick-fire strikes from the boot of Kevin Jennings sent North Village through to the semi-finals of the Martonmere Cup last night, while eliminating PHC.

Following a first half that saw Village dominate, with little to show for their efforts, Jennings put an end to any thoughts PHC may have had of further life in the competition, with goals in the 64th and 81st minutes.

The scores brought life to a second half that, until then, was limping along absent of much of the flair shown by both teams in the opening stanza.

Obviously sensing the match slipping away, Village's stalwart centre-back Kentoine Jennings began taking matters into his own hands, finding success with some forceful forward forays from his deep position.

He stretched PHC's defence to the point of breaking in the 63rd minute, storming his way inside the penalty area and firing in two efforts, both of which were blocked.

However, a minute later his dogged determination paid dividends as he was able to provide for his brother, drawing the defence before splitting it with a pass to a wide open Kevin Jennings, the latter picking a spot to Quincy Hunt's left and expertly finding the target.

Having played second fiddle to this point and now down a goal, PHC might have been expected to fold completely.

But with sharpshooter Stephen Astwood as determined as his counterpart Jennings, the Zebras were always in with a shot, as demonstrated by Astwood, who stunned Village and the crowd with a right foot tracer that whizzed inches past the right post after 68 minutes.

But hopes of a comeback were diffused moments later as Kevin Jennings shook the net once more, taking advantage of a lapse by the PHC backline, which allowed a right-wing cross to go untouched across the face of goal, leaving the Village poacher with a simple tap-in.

The final moments saw Village resort to the short passing artistry that is their signature, while a gallant PHC were left to count their losses.

Village, despite having played just one match in Group A, have now qualified for the semi-finals along with Wolves, who also qualified with the loss by PHC.

Wolves and Village are now set to meet on Saturday to determine which one will top the group heading into the next stage.

PHC: Q.Hunt, C.Dowling, C.Furbert, S.Lewis, J.Sealey; O.Steede, N.Marek (A.Washington 83 mins), S.Astwood, S.Russell (E.Bean 73 mins); D.Wilson, T.Flood (D.Russell 57 mins).

North Village: Z.Hendrickson; J.Thomas, M.Hansey, Ken.Jennings, A.Simons; T.Outerbridge, J.Boyles (D.Thomas 83 mins), J.Davis (D.Warren 67 mins), V.Tankard; D.Coddington (K.Dill 57 mins).

Referee: Anthony Mouchette

Men of the Match: Stephen Astwood (PHC); Kentoine Jennings (North Village).