Somerset 1 PHC 0

Rohaan Simons' second half strike ended a winless run by Somerset Trojans in the league as PHC slipped into the bottom spot with this loss at Somerset.

Despite the slippery conditions, especially down the middle of the field, there was plenty of fight and enterprise in this clash between the sixth and seventh placed teams who knew the importance of the three points.

By the end of the 90 minutes one moved a place up the standings - ahead of another slumping team, Devonshire Colts - while the other replaced Somerset Eagles in last place.

PHC sorely missed the goalscoring know-how of Stephen Astwood and Raynell Lightbourne as they struggled with the final touch in trying to beat Timmy Figureido, one of the Island's top goalkeepers.

Figureido made his first save of the match in the 11th minute when he pulled off a point blank save to deny Lonnie Bascome's effort that looked goalbound.

Bascome got through again in the 34th minute but this time he put his shot wide when with just Figureido to beat.

Chances continued at both ends late in the half with Rohaan Simons and Karl Roberts both having shots blocked in front of goal from a 38th minute corner on the left.

Then just before the half Damon Ming dribbled through the PHC defence and into the box only to put his effort into the sidenetting from a tight angle.

A steady downpour at the half made the conditions even more slick but the teams coped well and the game continued at a fast, open pace in the second period.

A goal was sure to come and it finally did in the 59th minute when Dwight Basden crossed from the left and Simons miskicked in front of goal with his left foot, only to quickly recover and plant the second effort with his right foot into the corner of the net.

The goal eased the pressure on a Somerset team who had not won in the league since late October, and they picked up the momentum after that as Ming, Dion Stovell and Simons began to test the PHC defence.

But PHC were not totally out of it as Kevin Lambe's spectacular overhead kick inside the box brought off a good save from Figureido. Minutes later the experienced Figureido was quickly off his line again to save at the feet of Bascome as PHC continued to press for the equaliser.

Somerset should have wrapped up the points in the 76th minute when Stovell's long run down the right flank resulted in a perfect cross for Simons whose shot was saved at the far post by Joell.

The home team hung onto their slim lead in the closing minutes as PHC tried frantically to steal a desperately needed point.

Somerset: T.Figureido; M.Jones, K.Roberts, R.Scott, D.Lawler (D.Rahman 22 mins); T.Davis, D.Stovell, S.Riley, R.Simons, D.Ming (C.Grant 88 mins), D.Basden (A.Webb 78 mins).

PHC: D.Joell; J.Ball, S.Lewis, C.Furbert, D.Wilson, T.Russell (M.Williams 82 mins); O.Shakir, B.Bean, J.Raynor, K.Lambe (D.Tucker 72 mins), L.Bascome.

Booked: D.Rahman, D.Stovell (Somerset).

Men of the match: Dion Stovell (Somerset); Blenn Bean (PHC).

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.