Somerset Eagles 1 PHC 2

PHC Zebras got their title challenge back on track with a win over Somerset Eagles at White Hill Field in the Premier Division yesterday.

PHC got two goals in the first half from Na’eem Griffith and Idrees Sharrieff, while Kanhai Fray replied for Eagles. Both teams had plenty on the line, with Zebras aiming to pick up a win to put them back in the title race, after their 1-0 defeat to Robin Hood last weekend, and with Eagles fighting to stay up.

Right from the start of this match, which was played in cold, rainy conditions, both teams came out looking to take an early upper hand. However, the conditions made it difficult to play free-flowing football and so scoring goals from set pieces became the order of the day.

In the thirtieth minute, PHC were awarded a free kick, which Cecoy Robinson, the PHC midfielder, stepped up to take. Robinson’s delivery was met by Griffith, the Zebras defender, who back-heeled Robinson’s corner into the net at the second attempt, after his initial shot was parried by the Eagles goalkeeper.

PHC then had a chance to double their lead, after Sharrieff, the Zebras forward, robbed the Eagles’ defence of the ball and rounded the goalkeeper, but Sharrieff fired over with the goal gaping.

Sharrieff soon made amends, though. From another Zebras corner, the forward rose highest to head the ball home, and double his side’s lead, right before half-time.

With a two-goal lead at half-time, it looked like Zebras were sitting comfortably, but Eagles have shown plenty of fightback recently, coming from behind to score second-half goals in their last few games to rescue points.

And Eagles would demonstrate their resolve once again against Zebras, pulling a goal back just seconds after the restart. In the 46th minute, the home side were awarded a corner which Fray took. Fray whipped in a powerful effort, which was assisted somewhat by the wind, and flew into the top corner, despite the efforts of Stefan Dill, the PHC goalkeeper. Thanks to a little bit of luck, Eagles were back in the match.

Fray’s goal caught out PHC, but it would then be Zebras, who would get lucky. The Eagles were awarded a penalty, after a Zebras defender committed a handball in the box, but Fray put his effort against the crossbar and then the follow-up shot was saved by Dill.

PHC almost made Eagles pay dearly for their penalty miss, but Keishon Bean failed to convert from a breakaway and then Sharrieff missed a shot from close range as the visitors searched for a third goal.

PHC were unable to find the insurance goal they wanted, but they were able to hold on, even as the home side pushed for a late equaliser, which Eagles almost got but Davin Riley-Clarke’s header was saved by Dill from just a few yards out. Nonetheless, Zebras held firm and at the final whistle, they secured three points in their quest for the title. With this narrow win, Zebras were able to keep the pressure on Hood. However, this loss meant that Eagles still have work to do if they are to stay in the top flight.

TEAMS

Somerset Eagles (4-3-3): L Lambert– D Riley-Clarke, L Burch (sub: J Simmons, 73min), G Smith, M Iris-Simmons – K Harrison, C Henry, A Telford – R Seaman (sub: S Lambert, 80min ), D Simmons (sub: A Bean, 65), K Fray. Substitutes not used: C Medeiros, J Santos. Booked: Smith, Bean.

PHC Zebras(4-3-3): S Dill – D Usher, N Griffith, M Lambe, J Ball – M Warren, K Abraham (sub: M Burchall, 60), M Waldron – C Robinson, I Sharrieff, K Bean (sub: K Davis, 75). Substitutes not used: S Trott, D Smith-Lightbourne. Booked: none.

Referee: A Bailey.