Somerset handed PHC their second straight loss in as many weeks on Saturday night, while extending their unbeaten run in the league to 13 games dating back to last season.

The West Enders' last loss occurred on January 10 when the soon-to-be champions Dandy Town ran out 2-1 victors at St. John's Field.

Saturday saw the young Trojans send a message to the rest of the league with a first half dismantling of the equally adolescent Zebras.

Running roughshod over the former league leaders, Somerset surged to an early two goal advantage as both Curtis Grant and Kevin Bailey scored with a pair of freakish strikes that rocked the home team, disasters from which they never fully recovered.

Grant, thrust in his more accustomed attacking role after spending time at left-back was handed probably the easiest goal of his fledgling career in the seventh minute when PHC goalkeeper Ellsworth Bean inexplicably dropped Grant's inswinging cross from the right over the goal-line.

Bruised by the sudden blow, PHC stormed back with Shawn Simons particularly dangerous up front with his pace and some well taken corners that provided ample chances which his teammates continually wasted.

The visitors made them pay for this lack of finishing power as Grant again played a feature role.

Picking up a loose ball some 20 yards out at the top of the penalty area Grant fired in a shot that Bean appeared to have covered to the left side, only to have Bailey redirect the ball to the opposite side, leaving the hapless 'keeper in the lurch.

Adding to Zebras misery was the ejection of youth squad player Ottis Steede by referee Chris Jones for a second cautionable offence two minutes before the half-time interval.

Still, PHC were able to hold their own during the second half. In fact they scored while a man down when Sheridan Ming pulled them a goal closer with a 24th minute lob over Andre Hendrickson after being sent through by substitute Blenn Bean, who raised the level of play with his energy as a second half replacement for Gavin Simmons.

Somerset also were reduced to 10 men when substitute Steval Arorash was handed his marching orders after throwing the ball at referee Jones just four minutes following his arrival on the pitch.

But while Zebras finished in a flurry, the tying goal eluded them as the Somerset defence marshalled by Duvall Binns held firm against the onslaught.

PHC dropped to fourth in the standings following the defeat and yesterday's matches, while Somerset now sit on top alongside defending champions Dandy Town, both having identical records.

PHC: E.Bean; M.Wade, M.Dill, D.Outerbridge, R.Lewis; G.Simmons (B.Bean 55 mins), S.Ming, O.Steede; S.Simons, R.Lightbourne, D.Wolffe (K.Burt 58 mins).

Somerset: A.Hendrickson; S.Riley, J.Burrows, D.Binns, P.Place, R.Butterfield; R.Simmons, R.Tucker, K.Bailey (S.Arorash 75 mins); R.Scott, C.Grant (J.Webb 68 mins).

Referee: Chris Jones Men of the match: Shawn Simons (PHC), Shawn Riley (Somerset).