Marco Warren was a revelation for PHC Zebras in his breakout 2016-17 season.

Now the 23-year-old midfielder is thriving in a new area of his game, scoring goals, and after five league and cup games is the top scorer in all competitions with six already.

PHC have had an impressive start to the campaign, winning the Charity Cup, advancing to the semi-finals of the Dudley Eve Trophy and are unbeaten in the league.

“Marco is a very intelligent player and I give him that freedom with the understanding of what is required at the time,” Scott Morton, the PHC coach, said.

“We have worked more this season on finishing and Marco has taken the challenge on, seeing if he can contribute more. That’s a personal objective and I think it’s paying off.”

Warren opened his account in his side’s win over Devonshire Cougars in the Dudley Eve Trophy, before netting the opener a week later in their second group match against Boulevard. He then followed that up with a hat-trick in the 9-0 drubbing of Flanagan’s Onions before netting from the penalty spot in PHC’s win over Dandy Town last weekend. The Bermuda player took the spot-kick in the absence of captain Cecoy Robinson.

“Marco will always be challenged to take penalties for the team because he’s got excellent technique and composure,” Morton said. “Cecoy is the No 1 penalty taker but since he wasn’t there, Marco stepped up.”

PHC are the leading scorers in the first month of the season, netting 16 goals, with Morton giving credit to former Zebras player Kenny Mills, who is helping with the coaching.

“I allow [Mills] to bring his experience and his intelligence as a prominent striker in his day to now take the lead when it comes to that part of the training,” Morton added.

“The more hands, the better, and there’s no way I can deny somebody like him who wants to help. I didn’t reach out to him; he just started coming around and now he’s playing a role.

“When it comes to finishing drills, I just allow him to take full responsibility of that.”

n Next month’s Dudley Eve Trophy semi-finals have been brought forward 24 hours, with Goose Gosling Field confirmed yesterday as the venue for the double-header.

The matches have been rescheduled for November 1. PHC face Robin Hood at 7pm, while North Village take on Cougars at 9pm. The final will be held on November 12.