PHC have matched their 3-0 start to the season with their third straight loss as yesterday's latest defeat at Wellington Oval dropped them to fifth place with St. George's moving two places up the standings to fourth.

The goal that settled the points came in the 35th minute when Ricky Hill notched his first for his new club. Before and after that, PHC had a host of chances to get on the scoresheet, either wasting them or being denied by Troy Hall in the St. George's goal.

The visitors had the best of the early chances and looked the more fluent in their build-ups with Blenn Bean, Sheridan Ming and Gavin Simmons working hard in midfield to supply the opportunities to front men Dave Wolffe, Raynel Lightbourne and Shawn Simons.

The best of those chances fell to Lightbourne in the 13th minute when, after a move down the right by full-back Mark Wade, the striker saw his shot at the near post turned around for a corner by Hall.

The best St. George's effort during that period came in the 19th minute when midfielder Herbie Bascome's long range shot was tipped over the bar by 'keeper Ty Williams.

Despite the wet conditions the two teams served up some exciting soccer in the first half as St. George's relied on counter attacks to test the PHC defence while PHC often went for one touch too many in and and around the penalty area and wasted scoring opportunities.

Just a few minutes after PHC goalkeeper Williams shouted to his team-mates to take more shots, taking into consideration the wet conditions, the advice was heeded by his opponents.

Clay Smith picked up a pass about 30 yards from goal as shouts came from the PHC bench not to allow him to shoot. Smith laid the ball off for Dwayne Richardson who unleashed a low shot that skidded on the wet grass and bounced off the chest of the crouching Williams.

Hill, who has a reputation of taking the half chances, had already begun following up in anticipation of a fumble and he was rewarded when he got to the ball first and planted the rebound past Williams.

A minute later the lead should have been doubled but this time Jerome Laws put his effort wide of an open goal after a good move stretched the PHC defence.

PHC kicked into a higher gear late in the half with Sheridan Ming getting through the defence only to hit a curling shot past the far post in the 38th minute, while moments later Simons drove a left foot shot wide as PHC stayed in the attacking mode.

At the other end Laws was denied again when a Clay Smith corner was headed down by Hill and Laws' header was blocked on the goal-line.

PHC made two substitutions early in the second half, bringing on Winston Trott for out of touch Lightbourne and Tokia Russell for Gavin Simmons. Despite dominating for long periods they were denied by the St. George's defence.

Bascome was shown the red card for a 76th minute trip on Russell as he raced for goal. It was Bascome's second bookable offence, having been cautioned by referee Esten Curtis in the 68th minute for kicking the ball away at a free kick.

Hall, playing his 48th consecutive match in the St. George's goal since the team returned to the First Division two seasons ago, was flawless as he made another important save to a Wolffe shot two minutes from time to make certain of the points. It was his third shut-out of the season.

St. George's: T.Hall; A.Todd, K.Moreno, P.Bailey, D.Walker; H.Bascome, D.Richardson, C.Smith, R.Hill (S.Dickinson 80 mins), L.Robinson (M.Outerbridge 69 mins), J.Laws.

PHC: E.Williams; M.Wade, R.Lewis, M.Dill, D.Outerbridge; S.Ming, G.Simmons (T.Russell 62 mins), B.Bean, D.Wolffe, R.Lightbourne (W.Trott 53 mins), S.Simons.

Referee: Esten Curtis Men of match: Troy Hall (St. George's), Sheridan Ming (PHC).