Nine-man PHC Zebras made a winning start to their Premier Division campaign after thrashing ten-man Southampton Rangers at Devonshire Recreation Club last night.

Zebras took an early lead when Marco Piper scrambled home from close range but were almost pegged back immediately when Jesse Seymour struck the crossbar with a bicycle kick.

Both teams were reduced to ten men when Robert Richardson, the Zebras captain, and Vernon Perinchief, the Rangers midfielder, were sent off for violent conduct on the half-hour mark.

Richardson reacted angrily to a robust challenge from Seymour, shoving the former Devonshire Cougars player, before Perinchief entered the fracas to return a firm push in kind.

Zebras increased their lead early in the second half when substitute Diondre Dowling’s first-time shot somehow sneaked through the fingertips of Richardson before trickling over the goalline.

The visiting side were unlucky not to reduce their deficit when midfielder Anthony Rocker struck a superb volley from distance that cannoned off the crossbar with Daniel Adams, the Zebras goalkeeper, well beaten.

Rangers substitute Diego McCallan should have done far better with a one-on-one chance that he snatched at.

Rangers were then thrown a lifeline when Kenji Griffith, the Zebras defender, was sent off in the 65th minute for a professional foul on Rocker.

However, despite the extra man, it was Rangers who were struggling to cope with PHC’s slicker passing game, with Robinson adding a third in the 78th minute before Smith completed the rout three minutes later.