The only satisfaction St. David's got from this game at PHC Stadium yesterday was that defeat was not nearly as demoralising as it was on Thursday night when they went down 7-0 to Vasco in the Friendship Trophy.

But one did fear a walkover when PHC underlined their supremacy from the outset and took a commanding three-goal lead after 29 minutes.

However, as it turned out, they were unable to add one single more tally for the remainder of the game largely through poor finishing and to some outstanding goalkeeping by Dale Fox.

St. David's were pinned down from the opening whistle with Kenny Mills putting a shot inches wide after just two minutes and Ottis Steede having his shot saved by the diving Fox a minute later. Sheridan Ming followed up by putting an effort over from 14 yards after five minutes.

PHC inevitably took the lead after seven minutes when Mills scored on a cross from Raynel Lightbourne. And after 20 minutes it was 2-0 in their favour when Steede hammered home a cross from Lightbourne.

St. David's had sporadic attacks but forwards Lionel Cann, James Pace and Jerry Laws achieved little with the defence, marshalled well by skipper Mike Dill, giving away little.

Cann, though, did cause some anxiety after 26 minutes when he collected a short pass from a free kick by Laws and sent a curling shot from the edge of the area that goalkeeper Demian Tucker brilliantly punched away for a corner.

But that was all the visitors managed because PHC came back powerfully for the rest of the half and made it 3-0 after 29 minutes when Ming netted from close in.

Tucker virtually handed St. David's a goal after 36 minutes when his clearance went straight to Laws who gratefully accepted the ball and drove it home from 15 yards.

PHC continued to dictate when play restarted but time and time again shots sailed either high or wide of goal after openings were created by some good approach work -- particularly by Sammy Swan who was doing wonders in midfield.

Swan himself watched in agony after 57 minutes when his powerfully-struck free kick was sensationally pushed around the post for a corner by the diving Fox.

While the St. David's attack laboured without success, PHC attacked almost at will -- but they continued to be haunted by misfortunes up front.

PHC: D.Tucker; M.Wade, M.Dill, B.Simons, B.Bean; S.Swan, O.Steede, M.Gilbert (D.Outerbridge, 72 mins); S.Ming, K.Mills, R.Lightbourne (R.Boyles, 60 mins).

St. David's: D.Fox; S.Robinson, S.Pitcher, M.Kelly, E.Wolfe (R.Pitcher, 63 mins); E.Crockwell, A.Darrell, G.Swainson; L.Cann, J.Pace (C.Laws, 77 mins), J.Laws.

Referee: Kenneth Perinchief.

Men of the match: Sammy Swan (PHC); Shea Pitcher (St. David's).

SAFE HANDS -- Demian Tucker climbs high to collect with defender Blake Simons (5) in support.