Somerset Trojans 0 PHC Zebras 0

Ten-man Somerset Trojans withstood numerous spells of pressure to salvage a goalless draw with PHC Zebras yesterday at a soggy Somerset Cricket Club.

The home side dominated the opening moments and should have opened the scoring in the first ten minutes. Leo Burgess cut a lovely ball back to Tevahn Tyrell, but the striker skied his shot from close range.

Zebras then dominated the rest of the first period. They pressed high and controlled possession once winning it in the middle third. Makai Joell was played wide by a lovely ball from Marco Warren, and the young full back found Enrique Russell. However, the youngster lashed his effort wide from near the penalty spot.

Jonathan Bean was booked on the half-hour mark for a hard tackle on Warren. Moments after that, Zebras had their second clear opening.

A deflected pass from Diondre Dowling fell to Keishon Bean, the latter having his shot well saved by Dequan Crockwell. The ball fell kindly to Russell, but his effort was blocked and then cleared for a corner.

Just before half-time, Bean was sent off for a reckless tackle on PHC goalkeeper Shaquille Trott. The home side were pushing forward to pen Zebras in their own half. The ball was headed back from Jenico Sealey to Trott, who dribbled out of the press into space, before Bean lunged in hurriedly and caught Trott on the ankles.

PHC nearly took control with the man advantage with the last kick of the half, when Daren Usher drove down the right and skipped past his man before his effort was cleared off the goalline.

The visitors took control of the early stages of the second half, spreading the field with short passes, taking advantage of the slippery conditions as a result of the consistent rain. Shakhai Trott drove a free kick well over the bar, as they continued to push for the opening goal.

The Zebras dominated the midfield battle in the second period, and gave the ball away on several occasions in the final third.

When PHC moved the ball well in midfield, striker Russell was played into some dangerous positions in the final quarter of the game. However, he made the wrong decision every time, especially when he got into the 18-yard box.

The visitors controlled the possession, yet Trojans were able to nullify them for the most part, and they didn’t take their biggest chances.

TEAMS

Somerset Trojans (4-4-2): D Crockwell – K Sharrieff-Hayward (sub: M Robinson, 86min), S Brangman, T Ming, M Henschke – J Butterfield, D Swan (sub: A Douglas, 46), L Burgess (sub: J Ratteray-Smith, 67), Sakai Tatem – T Tyrell, J Bean. Substitutes not used: R Seaman, K Jennings, D Sharrieff-Hayward. Booked: Bean, Robinson. Sent off: Bean

PHC Zebras (4-4-2): Shaquille Trott – D Smith-Lightbourne, M Joell, M Lambe, D Usher (sub: Z Lee, 80) – D Dowling, M Warren, J Sealey (sub: O Tucker, 88), S Trott – K Bean, E Russell. Substitutes not used: C Fubler, T Welch, M Wilson, A Douglas, N Griffith.

Referee: T Simons.