PHC 0

Devonshire Cougars 0

PHC Zebras were held to a goalless draw against Devonshire Cougars at PHC Field to end their title hopes.

Had it not been for some impressive saves by Daniel Johnson, the Cougars goalkeeper, PHC could well have scored three goals by half-time, but ultimately they had to settle for a damaging share of the spoils.

Misfortune visited Cougars when their captain Kwame Steede was forced off in the fifth minute because of a knee injury while attempting to turn his defender.

In the eighth minute, Cougars goalkeeper Johnson brilliantly saved a header from Zebras winger, Kadeem Abraham. Two minutes later, Johnson was tested again when Cecoy Robinson fired a shot from 20 yards that Johnson just got a hand on, pushing the ball out for a corner.

Robinson then initiated another attack when he sent defender Johnny Ball through when his pass split the Cougars defence. Ball raced on goal and pulled the trigger only for Robinson to parry his shot from ten yards out.

Andrew Bascome, the Cougars coach, exhorted his young charges to strengthen their resolve and play more aggressively at both ends of the field. However, Cougars did not display that extra gear that would allow them to contend with Zebras.

With the steady presence of Cougars’ defensive stalwart Darius Cox, combined with the home side’s occasional errant passes and shot selection, the game remained level. Zebras were at it again in the 54th minute when Diondre Dowling, after a goalmouth scramble in the Cougars area, lined up his shot and fired over from just inside the 18 yard box.

Dowling tried again in the 80th minute when he outpaced three Cougars defenders down the left flank, raced into the penalty area and unleashed a shot that rattled the side netting.

In the 88th minute, substitute Shakir Smith gained control from a long pass down the right wing. Smith, just outside the box, lobbed the advancing goalkeeper but could only watch in agony as his shot ricocheted off the crossbar, leaving the score tied.

Cougars only scoring opportunity came in the 83rd minute when substitute Drewonde Bascome was able to squeeze off a shot that went wide of goal.

PHC would have further opportunities to claim the win. While they looked efficient in their attacking play, it proved time and again to be a smokescreen.