PHC Zebras defenders Na’eem Griffith and Michael Williams showed their goal-shy strikers how to hit the target in a hard-fought victory over Hamilton Parish at PHC Field yesterday.

Griffith grabbed a first-half brace to give PHC a 2-1 lead at half-time before Williams scored the winner with a thumping strike seventeen in the 73rd minute.

Parish replied through goals from Casey Castle, the former Zebras player, and Shayne Hollis either side of the break. PHC’s victory secured them third spot in the Premier Division while Parish finished fifth.

The home side were thoroughly deserving of their victory as they enjoyed more possession and carved out enough chances to blow Parish off the pitch.

But they struggled to finish off their opponents and had not have been for William’s late heroics and some outstanding saves by Jay Smith, the PHC goalkeeper, Parish might have earned a share of the spoils.

PHC nearly fell behind when Hollis got behind the defence and had a clear run at goal. Smith was equal to the task, however, racing off his line to narrow the angle and force Hollis away from goal.

Omari Tucker, the PHC forward, wasted a golden opportunity when he blasted over from 15 yards with the Parish defence back-peddling.

But there would be no denying the home side moments later when Griffith broke the deadlock.

The PHC centre back turned in Cecoy Robinson’s corner kick with a glancing header that clipped the underside of the bar on its way in.

PHC’s joy, however, was short-lived as Castle converted a rebound from a corner kick at the other end two minutes later to draw level.

Griffith restored PHC’s lead with virtually the last kick of the half.

With his back to goal, the powerful centre back flicked the ball with his right boot over the defence and past the outstretched fingertips of Burgess who was caught completely by surprise.

Daren Usher, the PHC midfielder, brought off a fingertip save from Burgess as the home side threatened to extend their lead after the break.

Castle had the ball in the net at the other end, but the effort was ruled offside.

Parish, though, were back on even terms after Hollis squeezed in a shot from a narrow angle.

With numbers behind the ball, PHC appeared to have the threat coveredm, but Hollis managed to peel away from his marker and beat Smith at his near post.

Parish were fortunate not to have been blown away as PHC bombarded the visiting side’s goal.

Jahnai Raynor, the PHC forward, got behind the defence but sliced well wide with three unmarked team-mates in the goalmouth.

Promising player Diondre Dowling then flashed a shot just wide after linking up nicely with Shakir Smith.

Raynor wasted another opportunity, this time volleying over the bar after being given far too much time and space in the box.

After watching his attackers make hash of things, Williams took matters into his own hands and scored the match-winner with a brilliant solo effort.

Gaining possession in midfield, the overlapping full back was allowed to dribble freely before unleashing a left-footed drive that flew inside of Burgess’s far post.

Parish came close to equalising for the third time in the match, PHC goalkeeper Smith twice denying Donovan Thompson, the Parish forward, from point-blank range.

PHC were unlucky not have increased their advantage in the dying moments, Tucker unable to turn in Shakir Smith’s pull back.

The home team also had two late penalty appeals denied by referee’s assistant turned referee, Cassandra Trott, who replaced Anthony Francis at half-time after the latter pulled a leg muscle.