X-Roads 2 PHC Zebras 3

Darren Usher struck a late brace to keep the PHC Zebras unbeaten record intact and blow the Premier Division title race wide open at Garrison Field yesterday.

The right full back took both his goals brilliantly, the first with five minutes remaining to draw his side level, before striking five minutes into additional time to snatch a dramatic victory.

Zebra’s head coach Winston Trott seemed just a little relieved on hearing the final whistle as his squad had been made to work hard throughout the entire 90 minutes.

“I expected them to be physical,” said Trott, “That is exactly what they brought from the outset. We prepared all week for this type of game but it took us a while to settle.”

The first 25 minutes of the encounter had more resemblance to a Table Tennis match than football as both teams struggled to get a foot on the ball for any period of time.

X-Roads took the lead in the 26th minute when Donavan Thompson tapped in from close range after PHC Keeper Shaquille Trott had spilled an initial effort from Rackwon Hare.

The goal served as a wake-up call for PHC who then pushed forward in droves for the rest of the half only to reap no reward for their efforts and much for coach Trott to ponder at the break.

The second period saw the match burst into life with the Zebras on the front foot right from the whistle. The 53rd minute saw PHC draw level when skipper Marco Warren converted from the penalty spot after an intentional handball by an X-Roads defender inside the area.

PHC gradually took hold of the game for the next 20 minutes but spurned a host of chances through a combination of poor finishing or good defending from the opposition.

The Warriors to their credit, continued chipping away and looking for an opening. Their perseverance was rewarded in the form of a converted penalty by Tymon Daniels in the 79th minute after the always hard-working Thompson had been pulled down in the box by Na’eem Griffith.

Enter stage left, Usher, who shattered the Warriors hopes of a well-earned victory with his brace leaving the X-Roads coach to rue what could have been three valuable points.

Scorers

X-Roads: Thompson 26, Daniels 79

PHC: Warren 53, Usher 85, 90+5

TEAMS

X-Roads (4-3-3): Q Darrell 6 ― J Furbert 8, N Richardson 6, T Perincheif 6 (sub: A Case 80 min), L Simmons 7, ― K Hill -Tuzo 6, T Daniels 7, R Hare 6, ― J Costa 7 (sub: D Woolridge 59min 6), D Thompson 8, J Lottimore 7 (sub: R Beek 64 min 5). Substitutes not used: J Minks, Z Mc Carter, J Morgan. Booked: R Hare, T Perinchief.

PHC (4-2-3-1): S Trott 6 ― I Taylor 5(sub: A Russell 46 min 6), M Lambe 5, Naeem Griffith 5, D Usher 8, ― W Ming 6 (sub: K Hypolite 71 min), K Abraham 6, ― M Joell 6 (sub: R DeShield 46 min 6), K Bean 7(sub: C Castle 90), M Warren 8, E Russell 8. Substitutes not used: D Lodge, O Tucker, C Fubler. Booked: A Russell, M Lambe.

Referee: M Wyer.