PHC 1 Somerset Trojans 0

PHC Zebras remained in the thick of the title chase after Ryan Hassell scored the only goal of the game to edge past Somerset Trojans at PHC on Saturday night.

Although the performance was not one of their best, PHC coach Quincy Hunt was content with the result.

“I was a bit disappointed with the scoreline as we should have killed the game off in the first 20 minutes,” Hunt said.

“Sometimes things like this happen but the three points keep us in the title race so we will keep on battling and battling until the end.”

PHC dominated the opening minutes of the game with some direct and attacking football forcing Trojans goalkeeper Kyjan Symonds to make an early save with his foot from T’syi Showers’s side-footed volley after Diondre Dowling picked him out at the back post with a diagonal cross.

Taj-Rae Outerbridge nearly gifted PHC the opening goal when the ball deflected off his boot from a corner only to richocet off the upright with Symonds well beaten.

PHC’s relentless pressure paid off in the fourteenth minute when a floated ball from another corner was allowed to bounce in the penalty area before an alert Hassell nipped between two defenders to tap the ball home.

Minutes later, Symonds was well positioned to block Kadeem Abraham’s blast as PHC looked to double their lead.

Dylan Arruda had Somerset’s first threatening attack midway through the half and thought he had scored the equaliser when his lob beat PHC goalkeeper Quinaceo Hunt but skimmed the crossbar.

The Trojans defence marshalled by custodian Symonds and centre half Jaz Ratteray-Smith did well to restrict PHC to a one-goal lead at the break, but Zebras continued to dominate after the restart before central defender Dowling was forced off with a hamstring injury in the 66th minute.

That gave the youthful Trojans outfit a little more freedom as they pressed for an equaliser and they came close after substitute Paul Robinson’s firm drive went wide of the goal.

With time ticking away, Somerset captain Jaden Ratteray-Smith took matters into his own hands as he made a solo run into the opposition box only for Hunt to advance and courageously smother the ball at his feet to secure the three points.

The win leaves PHC a point behind new Premier Division leaders North Village

SCORERS

PHC: Hassell 14

TEAMS

PHC Zebras (4-2-3-1): Q Hunt 7 — D Usher 6, N Furbert 6, D Dowling 6 (sub: C McDowell, 66min 5), Z Lee 6 — D Lodge, K Abraham 6 (sub: A Astwood, 66 5) — T Showers 6 (sub: K Bean, 74), J Iris 5, J Joseph 5 (sub: K Stovell, 87) — R Hassell 7 (sub: J Sealey, 74). Substitutes not used: M Smith, S Trott. Booked: Joseph.

Somerset Trojans (4-2-3-1): K Symonds 7 — M Tear-Deleon 5, Jaz Ratteray-Smith 7, T Outerbridge 6 — Jaden Ratteray-Smith 7, M Nisbett-Tankard 6 — K Cann 5 (sub: P Robinson, 76), J Greaves 5, D Arruda 6 (sub: C Durham, 72), J Shields 5 (sub: J Brangman, 88) — H Eve 5 (sub: J Powell, 46 5). Substitutes not used: N Durham.

Referee: A Francis.