PHC 4

Southampton Rangers 2

PHC prevailed over a spirited Southampton Rangers team yesterday at PHC Field with only their second win in the league this season.

After what can be described as a tame first half, due to wet, soggy field conditions, the second half produced a barrage of goals with the Zebras scoring three of the five goals scored in a span of 28 minutes.

The encounter could quite possibly have had a very different outcome had the Rangers put away their early chances.

Rangers’ inability to take their chances not only sent them in a goal down at half-time, but ultimately cost them the game.

PHC took the lead 36th minute when Casey Castle outpaced his defender and fired the ball past Jason Smith in the Rangers goal.

Rangers equalised a minute after the break when Shaki Swan took advantage of a mix up in the PHC defence, rounded Darren Johnson, the PHC goalkeeper, and scored from a tight angle.

The fireworks began in the 68th minute when Rangers took the lead when a Vernon Perinchief cross found Andrew Raynor unmarked, and he headed home from close range.

Rangers lead lasted all of two minutes as the Zebras came storming back when Castle grabbed his second after being set up by strike partner Shakir Smith.

Smith gave the home side the lead soon after when Castle’s ferocious shot was parried by Jason Smith, the rebound fell to Shakir Smith who slotted the ball into an empty net.

Frustration got the better of the Rangers players, and Castle had his feet taken out from under him inside the penalty area with 15 minutes left. Smith stepped up to score the resulting penalty, and the goal took the wind out of Rangers’ sails.

“Today was a good day for us. Today we came out mentally prepared,” Mark Wade, the PHC coach, said.

“Our downfall thus far this season is that in games past we were guilty of coming out mentally unprepared, and our position in the league shows that. Moving forward, our goal is to remain consistent so that we can put ourselves back into contention in league play.”