Rakeem DeShields helped PHC avenge their Dudley Eve Trophy semi-final loss with this 1-0 hard-fought win over Somerset Trojans in this Friendship Trophy quarter-final match at Somerset yesterday.

DeShields’s strike in the 78th minute was sufficient to separate the two teams sending PHC through to the semi-finals while eliminating historic cup giants Somerset Trojans.

“It was nice to score the winner today,” stated a composed DeShields. “I was just happy to do my job. It was not an easy game but we stuck to the game plan and it came off. I am looking forward to the next round now.”

The game started at a slow pace with both teams feeling the other out. The first real chance came after 19 minutes when Justin Corday gave away a needless free-kick just outside the Trojans’ penalty area.

The ball was floated to the back post and then knocked back inside where DeShields nodded a firm header against the cross bar before being cleared for a corner.

Trojans had a chance a minute later when skipper Damon Swan chipped over the top of the PHC defence for Corday to run onto but he mis-hit his volley bringing off an easy save by PHC keeper, Shaquille Trott.

Trojans lost one of their best players and playmaker when Jaz Ratteray-Smith stretched his leg out for a ball over the top only to pull his hamstring and was subbed.

PHC should have scored just before the half when Sean Brangman was dispossessed deep in the Trojans’ half sending skipper Cecoy Robinson through but he raced his shot and slammed over the top of the advancing Trojans’ keeper Shaquille Bean and the crossbar. The half ended 0-0 as Trojans’ defence stood firm marshaled by Tahzeiko Harris and Trevin Ming.

The second half started with Trojans applying the initial pressure. They thought they had a penalty when DeAndre Smith-Lightbourne attempted a clearance inside his penalty area and the ball hit his hand in the process, but their appeals fell on deaf ears as referee Anthony Francis allowed play to continue.

PHC shifted gears and started to run at Trojans consistently with skipper Robinson, Marco Warren and Tre Ming leading the charge. It was no surprise when they took the lead in the 78th minute when Trojans’ skipper Swan conceded a free-kick just outside his penalty area. The resulting kick was allowed to bounce in a crowded area allowing DeShields to bury his shot in the corner of blinded keeper Bean.

PHC almost doubled their lead in the dying stages when defender Sean Brangman was dispossessed again with Ming getting off a shot forcing an acrobatic save from keeper Bean.