PHC 2 Robin Hood 1

In a flat, uninspiring and low-scoring first half encounter yesterday at PHC Stadium, Kyle Lightbourne’s Robin Hood outfit fell to a rampaging PHC Zebras side.

The Zebras scored first, courtesy of a strike in the eleventh minute by young winger Keishon Bean. The Zebras’ attack, which began in the middle of the pitch, saw a blazing Rakeem DeShields latch on to a pass down the middle of the pitch. DeShields located the streaking Bean along the left sideline and threaded a perfect pass to Bean, which split the Hood defensive line. Bean outpaced the defender to the ball and sliced his shot, from a tight angle, past helpless Hood goalkeeper Jason Simons.

Two minutes later, Hood came close to levelling the score after Chris Caisey controlled a deep cross into the box and flicked the ball over his head to a wide-open Antwan Russell, who skilfully brought the ball down on his chest and got off a blistering shot that sailed agonisingly wide of the right upright.

Hood were provided another perfect opportunity to level the score moments later, but again lacked the finishing touch, as Caisey could manage only a weak shot on goal from in close. Zebras goalkeeper Stefan Dill smothered easily.

Although both sides enjoyed equal possession during the opening half, they struggled to get into any semblance of offensive rhythm, committing a plethora of misdirected passes and poor finishing touches. This proved to be the order of the day.

In the 42nd minute, Hood would again frustrate their faithful supporters after Caisey provided a stellar pass to the speedy Shakir Smith, who powered his way into the penalty area. However, Smith’s uncontested blast from close range sailed well over the crossbar to the delight of Zebras supporters.

In due course, Hood would be rewarded for their all-out hustle before the close of the half when they evened the score in the 44th minute, thanks to a lethal strike from Russell just inside the box. Lejuan Simmons made a hard run down the right flank, providing a deft, low cross to an onrushing Russell, who wasted little time getting off a scorching shot that left the Zebras goalkeeper no chance.

Lacklustre play continued well into the start of the second half until the Zebras were gifted a goal in the 64th minute. A free kick from deep along the sideline found Johnny Ball standing at the top of the box. Ball’s shot did not have much velocity behind it, but the shot managed to elude a maze of players and squirt out to defender Na’eem Griffiths, who managed to sneak his way into the box behind the defenders to tap in.

In the 70th minute, PHC’s Cecoy Robinson narrowly missed scoring when after a long run from midfield into the penalty area, he had his powerful shot pushed just over the crossbar at the last second. Robinson was foiled again when his point-blank shot was saved in the 88th minute.

Hood continued pressing looking for the equaliser. They came dangerously close in the dying moments of the game when Simons advanced all the way upfield out of his goal for a resulting free kick. Simons managed to collect a weak clearance from the Zebras defence but could only watch as his screamer sail harmlessly over the goal.

It would be Hood’s last opportunity to score, allowing the Zebras to trot off with the win.

SCORERS

PHC Zebras

Bean 11, Griffiths 64

Robin Hood

Russell 44

TEAMS

PHC Zebras (4-4-2): S.Dill — D Usher, N Griffiths, K Griffiths, J Ball — C.Robinson, T Ming (sub: J Simmons, 85min), K Bean (sub: T Hall, 40) M Warren — M Burchall, R DeShields. Substitutes not used: Q Hunt, M Lambe, D Smith-Lightbourne, M Waldron. Booked: DeShields.

Robin Hood (4-4-2): J Simons — C Fosker, J Pereira (sub: D Brangman, 75), N Peskett, A Russell (sub: S Burchall, 86) — L.Simmons, C Caisey (sub Z Burgess, 62), D Cox, C Ryan — S Smith, K Elkinson, Substitutes not used: D Andrade, D Taylor, M Johnson.

Referee: L Raynor.