A victory over PHC yesterday was billed as payback by Colts.

But then it's been a season of vengeance for the Coca Cola First Division front-runners, with the final piece of revenge now probably less than a month away.

Picked to finish no higher than seventh in preseason forecasts, Colts have delighted in proving the critics wrong. Yesterday's victory placed them six points clear of second-place Vasco -- 6-0 winners over St. George's -- and with just two victories in their final four games, will win their first league crown since 1973.

"Mr. Furbert (assistant coach David) and I have never, ever thought that this team was anything other than a championship contender,'' said coach Eugene Ball after yesterday's 3-0 dismantling of PHC.

Now the task is to keep his team focused. With games left against St.

George's, St.David's, Devonshire Cougars and North Village -- who have a combined record of 13-16-27 -- over-confidence could be the only threat.

Colts shouldn't have any distractions left, having been bounced from of all three extra-curricular competitions. It was PHC who beat Colts in the final of the Dudley Eve competition over Christmas and the visitors yesterday were anxious to show the loss wasn't appreciated.

Their formula yesterday was the same as it has been all season: Goalkeeper Troy Hall backing a defence-first approach and quick, two-touch counter attacks involving dangerous centre-forward Mark Ray.

"From the goalkeeper to the back four, they have been determined not to give up goals,'' said Ball. "In fact, the whole team has has committed and dedicated towards defence from the start of the season.'' Which is why Colts have allowed exactly ten goals in their 14 league matches.

Then there's there's the greatest intangible of all: Confidence. Colts simply exude it.

Much of the confidence stems from Hall, whose presence -- vocal and otherwise -- keeps his team in the game. Yesterday, the former St. George's player stopped Sheridan Ming on three successive point blank opportunities, guarding the post from his knees like a hockey goalie -- only a minute after Colts had taken a 1-0 lead with Ray's 11th minute strike.

Ray was a handful for the PHC defence -- in particular Corey Dowling -- all afternoon but it was his pass that finally sealed the game seven minutes into the second half.

It sent Keshion Smith in alone and though he was stopped, the ensuing collision with goalkeeper Jay Smith was a blow to PHC's hopes. Jay Smith was finally pulled off, clutching his left shoulder, in the 65th minute and with him went his team's spirits.

Colts promptly capitalised on back-up Ellsworth Bean for two goals, neither of which the PHC 'keeper could do much about.

First Jahmah Samuels chipped a shot over a charging Bean on a breakaway when three PHC defenders got caught upfield. Then, just a minute before the final whistle, defender Shannon Burgess drilled a 15-yarder into the top left corner after a neat one-two with Ellington Weldon.

PHC: J.Smith (E.Bean 65 mins), E.Hunt, C.Dowling, D.Burgess, D.Outerbridge, B.Anderson, O.Steede, E.Dowling (M.Williams 52 mins), S.Ming, W.Trott, S.Astwood (D.Wilson 62 mins).

Dev.Colts: T.Hall, J.Belboda (S.Waldron 79 mins), M.Hollis, S.Burgess, K.Burchall, J.Samuels, V.Ball, K.Smith (G.Bean 72 mins), M.Ray, R.Jones (E.Weldon 62 mins).

Men of the match: PHC -- Sheridan Ming; Colts -- Mark Ray.

Referee: Richard Knight.