PHC 3 Boulevard 1

Scott Morton began his tenure as the new PHC Zebras coach on a winning note yesterday as the Dudley Eve Trophy holders began the defence of their title with a victory at Goose Gosling Field.

Boulevard took the lead in the 23rd minute through Ian Coke when he robbed goalkeeper Troy Hall of possession, rounded him inside the six-yard box and kept his composure to slot home.

PHC finally found their scoring touch late in the half, finding the net twice in the space of five minutes to turn the match around as Hall and Ming made amends for earlier misses.

Hall opened his team’s account in the 32nd minute when he fired a low shot past Adams after Ming set him up with a perfect pass inside the box.

Ming had a hand in the second goal, too, playing off a pass into the penalty area as the Boulevard defence waited for an offside flag.

The flag stayed down, Idrees Sharrieff continued playing and calmly slotted the ball past Adams.

Boulevard threatened a late fightback when Coke headed a Maquel Tankard cross against the crossbar in the 77th minute.

Omari Tucker looked lively after coming on for Warren in the 65th minute and he secured the win four minutes from the end when he tucked home.

Boulevard face elimination on Saturday when they meet Dandy Town, the league champions, in their final group A match at Bernard Park.

TEAMS

PHC (4-3-3): T Hall — K Abraham, M Lambe, K Griffith,

J Ball — C Robinson, T Ming, M Warren (sub: O Tucker, 65) — I Sharrieff (sub: K Hall, 69), T Hall (sub: N Griffith, 84), J Warren-Smith. Substitutes not used: Q Hunt, D Usher, D Smith-Lightbourne, M Burchall, K Hall.

Boulevard (4-3-3): D Adams — J Crockwell (sub: A Williams, 71), A Foggo, J Williams, M Tankard — N Smith, E Trott, T Walker — I Coke, J Samuels (sub: S Robinson, 53), D Taylor (sub: T Davis, 53). Substitutes not used: T Butterfield, A Famous, Z Stovell. Booked: Robinson.

Referee: A Francis.