Paget 1 PHC 2

Enrique Russell fired PHC into the Friendship Trophy semi-finals with a second-half winner over a dogged Paget Lions at Somerset Cricket Club on Saturday night.

Both sides started on the front foot, pressing high and winning the ball in dangerous positions but often failing to make their positive territory count.

PHC broke the deadlock in the eighteenth minute with a stunning strike from Ahria Simons, who smashed an unstoppable strike past Troy Hall in the Paget goal.

Paget fought back and got their reward in the 26th minute after a free kick pinballed around the penalty area as a result of poor Zebras defending,and Julian Carpenter fired a beautiful effort past PHC goalkeeper Quinaceo Hunt.

They would finish off the half with better attacking intent, but Shakir Smith failed to direct his finish on target after being fed by Zaire Weller in Paget’s most dangerous opening after they got back on level terms.

PHC regained a semblance of composure early in the second half with Keishon Bean the creative fulcrum of everything positive going forward, and midfield duo Kadeem Abraham and Simons providing a shield in front of their aggressive back four, which often pushed up to the halfway line as the defending champions had a few periods of patient build-up.

They went ahead in the 57th minute through a sweeping move that featured Enrique Russell, Jenico Sealey and Kadeem Abraham combine, with Russell finishing low into the far post from just outside the box to restore PHC’s advantage.

Paget made a few tactical switches as the game became stretched, bringing on player-coach Antwan Russell and pacey winger Kamali Davis to take advantage of the space Zebras were leaving between their midfield and defence whenever they lost possession.

Neither man was truly able to showcase their talents as Zebras often sprinted back to shut them down aggressively. Damon Swan then came on soon after to add some bite to the midfield battle, which at this point was comfortably being controlled by the league champions.

The tempo was frenetic in the final 20 minutes as Paget tried to equalise for a second time and Zebras attempted to garner the two-goal cushion their immaculate ball possession required.

Both teams tested their opponents’ defence in the final quarter of the match, but as has often happened in this match-up, the teams’ defences allowed no further goals.

Opening scorer Ahria Simons, who has returned from the University of Dartmouth on his Christmas break, was pleased with the team spirit within the PHC team.

“It was always going to be a dogfight,” Simons said. “I am happy we were able to hold on and stay alive in the cup.”

Scorers

Paget: Carpenter 26

PHC: Simons 18, Russell 57

TEAMS

Paget Lions (4-2-3-1): T Hall 6 – K Simons 6, R Deshields 6, J Carpenter 7, K Durrant 6 (sub: K Hypolite, 69min 6) – D Joell 6 (sub: D Swan, 75), P Castle 5 – S Smith 6, Z Weller 5 (sub: O Tucker, 69 6), B Furbert 5 (sub: K Davis, 55 6) – S Mitchell 5 (sub: A Russell, 75). Substitutes not used: T Davis, O Deshields. Booked: Durrant.

PHC Zebras (4-3-3): Q Hunt 6 – D Usher 6, J Bather 6, D Lodge 5, D Smith-Lightbourne 6 – A Simons 7, K Bean 6 (sub: J Iris, 69 5), K Abraham 6 – J Sealey 6 (sub: Z Lee, 69 5), J Joseph 6 (sub: C McDowall, 85), E Russell 6. Substitutes not used: E King-Mills, S Trott, R Hassell, T Showers.

Referee: T Derry (Trinidad)