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Manga . . . the Village bogey man

There's something about breaching one of Bermuda's top defences that Raynel (Manga) Lightbourne finds quite straightforward.

While many Premier Division strikers struggle to cope with the aerial superiority and tough tackling of the Village defensive trio of Kofi Dill and Jennings brothers Kevin and Kentoine, PHC's lanky, dreadlocked striker doesn't seem to have any problems.

And, something the Zebras faithful really appreciate, he seems to be getting the better of the Rams at key moments.

A goal down against Village on Sunday and with time running out, Lightbourne chased down a long ball over the top, beat Dill to it and then stuck out a leg to loft the ball over keeper Adrian Burrows.

Despairing defenders could do nothing to prevent the ball from agonisingly dropping in.

It was a strike similar to the one Lightbourne despatched in pulling PHC back from 2-0 down in a Martonmere Cup group game less than a month ago and his third of the season against Dwayne (Streaker) Adams' men.

"I chased it down and got there just before Kofi," said a sweaty but happy Lightbourne immediately after the 1-1 draw at Bernard Park on Sunday.

"I just stuck out a leg but I saw the 'keeper was coming towards me so it was the easiest route to goal. They were dominating a bit but we had that never-say-die attitude and just went for it.

"In the first half things didn't go my way, the pitch isn't that flat and the ball bobbled a couple of times making it difficult to control but you get used to it as time goes on."

And as for his three important goals already this season against Village?

"Yeah, it's funny like that. They've got a great defence but I seem to score against them pretty much every time we play," he said, with a grin smeared across his face.

"And it's not just this season, I just have a good record against them for some reason. They are always a tough side to play against and we always have good, hard games and I just seem to score all the time."