Premier Division leaders PHC Zebras will be fighting to put more distance between themselves and the chasing pack when they host Hamilton Parish at PHC Field on Thursday (9pm).

A victory over their mid-table opponents will take PHC five points clear of second- placed St George’s Colts, who play bottom side Robin Hood at Goose Gosling Field on Saturday night.

“We are definitely happy to be on top of the table and hopefully can extend our lead,” Marco Warren, the PHC captain, said.

PHC came from behind to beat Parish 5-2 in the first league encounter between the two sides at Wellington Oval last October and Warren is hoping for a better start this time around.

“We gave them an early goal when we matched up against these guys before, so our goal going into the game is to try not to make mistakes early and make sure they earn everything they get,” Warren added. “They were in the game at one point until we turned up our scoring.

“I think that they are a really tricky team. They have some great attacking talent and a really good system as well, so hopefully we stick to it and come out on top.”

PHC are fresh off a crucial 1-0 win away to fellow title hopefuls North Village at Bernard Park last Sunday, when Warren scored the winner from the penalty spot.

“We definitely needed that but just because we now have breathing room does not mean we can breathe,” Warren stressed. “It just gives us more confidence and solidifies where we are in top spot but I am happy to get the result at their home field like they did to us.”

Parish are also coming in to the match in form with no defeat in their past four outings in league and cup, and coach Sergio Goater is hoping for another positive result on the road.

“It’s definitely a tough task going against the league leaders, a free-scoring team and as in-form a team as you can see,” he said.

“We have caught a bit of form so confidence is high in the camp. It’s a tough away trip but we just have to approach it in the right way. The team has been training well, we are well prepared and are looking to get something out of the game for sure.”