Zebras scrape past St. David's
The PHC Zebras avenged their loss in the first half of the season when they travelled to the east end and came away with a hard-fought victory yesterday over the boys from St. David's.
The east-enders grabbed their first win in top-flight soccer at the start of the season against the Zebras and were in search of a repeat performance.
However, well-taken goals from Michael Trott and Dana Rawlins in each half were enough to deny the home team any glory on the day.
Despite the solid defensive play by the St. David's back four, PHC came close early with a fine play down the right wing. Striker Kenny Mills found his way to the edge of the penalty area and drilled a vicious shot from an acute angle that eluded goalkeeper Dale Fox and rebounded off the inside of the far post.
The ball was cleared by Albert Steede and from the very next attacking play the Zebras opened the scoring.
Mills began the play with another wide run that ended with him flighting the ball to Rawlins near the penalty spot. When Fox failed to hold onto Rawlins' header, Trott capitalised by scoring from close range.
Mills could have increased the lead only minutes later but he sent his rising drive over the goal from inside the area.
Despite the wind in their faces the St. David's squad did well to mount serious attacks. But poor shooting was to be their nemesis. Del Hollis was proving to be a threat for the Zebras down the middle of the field but he also was the major disappointment for his team as all the chances at goal that came his way were wasted.
Near the end of the first half, player/coach Garrett Dill opened a gaping hole for Hollis with a perfect pass that left him with a shot near the PHC penalty spot. The striker, however, screwed his shot well wide of the goal.
Having survived the late challenge of the home team in the first half, the Zebras ran at their opponents again and were unfortunate not to have increased their lead only seconds after the restart. Mills had snaked his way down to the left touchline and drilled a fine pass into the St. David's goalmouth.
Fox was beaten by the pass at the near post and the ball fell to Trott on the edge of the six-yard box. He could only hang his head though as he miserably lifted the ball over the gaping goal right in front of him.
Rawlins though made no mistake only seconds later when he scored what was to be the winning goal after a lapse by the St. David's defence. Rawlins collected a beautiful through ball just inside the St. David's half and caught his marker flat-footed.
With a two-yard lead he coolly carried the ball into the penalty area and slotted it into the goal despite the valiant effort of Fox to deny him.
Even though they were down by two goals the east-enders continued to play with purpose and finally found the net through substitute Eugene Smith. He managed to drive the ball from an acute angle between goalkeeper Ty Williams and the upright.
Williams did however save the day for the Zebras only moments before the final whistle when he turned away a vicious header from Shea Pitcher.
St. David's: D.Fox, A.Steede, W.Smith, C.Richardson, S.Pitcher, D.Hollis, E.Crockwell (E.Smith, 53 mins), G.Dill, E.Wolffe, J.Laws, K.Fray (P.White, 68 mins).
PHC: T.Williams, N.Simons, M.Wade, M.Dill, D.Douglas, B.Simons, O.Steede (M.Smith, 65 mins), D.Rawlins, K.Mills, S.Simons, M.Trott.
Referee: Esten Curtis.
Men of the match: Garrett Dill (St. David's); Dana Rawlins (PHC).