PHC 4 Devonshire Colts 1 A sensational hat-trick by Kenny Mills gave PHC a convincing victory in the top-of-the-table clash at Somerset yesterday.

The three points kept the Zebras on top of the Premier Division table and condemned Colts to their first league defeat of the season.

Mills' classy finishing was the main difference between the sides in a game held up for half an hour at the end of the first half because of an injury to Colts' Wayne Henry.

Henry suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder in a collision just outside his own penalty area in the 39th minute and to avoid moving the injured player, referee George O'Brien suspended the match until an ambulance had taken Henry to hospital.

Colts played their best football in the first half, but were swept aside after the break as PHC made the most of having a strong wind at their backs.

The game started at a frenetic pace and in the first minute Colts' Jamaine Aberdeen fired just wide following a corner clearance.

Mills put the leaders in front with an astonishing effort from PHC's first attack in the third minute. The Bermuda national team striker received the ball in the centre circle, ran forward a few strides and lashed a dipping, swerving drive over stunned Colts keeper Troy Hall and into the top right-hand corner of the net.

Zebras' second arrived in the 23rd minute, when a corner was flicked on by Ricky Mallory to defender Dano Outerbridge, who scooped a half-volley on the turn past Hall's desperate dive.

Colts could have drawn level within four minutes, if Aljame Zuill had enjoyed more luck in front of goal.

First, the lively striker nipped in at the far post to get a boot to the ball and direct it goalwards, but was thwarted by a brave save at his feet by PHC keeper Carlyle Crockwell. And moments later he latched onto a knockdown by Tito Smith, but clipped his lob just too high.

Colts continued to press and pulled a deserved goal back in the 34th minute, when midfielder Jerome Laws ran in at the near post and flicked an inswinging cross beyond Crockwell.

Persistent rain during the first half made conditions underfoot increasingly treacherous and the game grew scrappier as mistakes multiplied.

The injury to Henry gave an opportunity for Marvin Belboda, Colts `Supersub' hat-trick hero of the previous week, to enter the fray.

But he had little chance to threaten the PHC goal after the break, as the Zebras pinned Colts in their own half for long periods.

Mills hit a fierce, 20-yard volley just wide of the right-hand post and from two corners just after the hour, Vic Ball's snapshot was saved by Hall and then Mallory's header flashed wide.

It was not until the 74th minute that the Zebras' relentless attacking was rewarded with their third goal, when Colts gave away possession and Mills burst into the penalty area from the left and hit a crisp, left-footed drive into the top right-hand corner.

Mills delivered the coup de grace in style in the third minute of injury time.

Fed the ball on the edge of the penalty area, he dribbled forward without allowing his marker to get in a challenge, waited for Hall to commit himself and steered a right-footed shot over him and high into the net.

It was literally the last kick of the match and the delirious reaction of the PHC fans who ran straight onto the pitch to dance in celebration suggested they believe they have a team which can win the title.

PHC: C.Crockwell (J. Durrant 82 mins), E.Hunt, A.Washington, R.Lewis, D.Outerbridge, O.Steede, V.Ball (C.Furbert 71 mins), K.Mills, R.Mallory, S.Astwood (M.Smith 63 mins), D.Tillman.

Colts: T.Hall, J.Simmons, S.Burgess, C.Durham, J.Belboda, D.Wright, J.Aberdeen (G.Trott 48 mins), W.Henry (M.Belboda 40 mins), J.Laws, T.Smith, A.Zuill.

Referee: George O'Brien Men of the match: Kenny Mills (PHC); Aljame Zuill (Colts) Yellow cards: Burgess (Colts).

Photos by Ras Mykkal Solid challenge: PHC defender Andre Washington (right) tackles Devonshire Colts goalscorer Jerome Laws during yesterday's battle between the top two at Somerset.

Emergency: The concern all round is apparent as Wayne Henry (grounded) of Devonshire Colts is examined after a collision which left him with a suspected dislocated shoulder during his side's 4-1 defeat by PHC yesterday. The game was held up for 28 minutes, until an ambulance arrived to take Henry to hospital.