Mid-way through the second half Kevin Richards' ghosted into the Southampton Rangers' penalty area, guided the ball past goalkeeper Jason Smith, and set PHC Zebras on the way to making history.

It was the perfect end to a rather imperfect season.

Zebras took their love-affair with the Friendship Trophy to a new level when they became the only club on the Island to win the competition ten times, the winning goal came from a player who is leaving, and all after they were humiliated by North Village Rams in the final a year ago.

Throw in the fact that PHC, a club without a home, beat their landlords, Southampton Rangers, and it has all the makings of a highly watchable feel-good sports movie.

A lot has been made of the problems that have blighted PHC this season, they avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth, but this win means they have won every major piece of silverware available in the last two years.

And for Richards it was the ideal way to sign off before he heads to the University of Notre Dame to study for a Masters in Business.

"It was an extra special game for me," said Richards. "It's my last one for a couple years and it was good to get the game winner. The ball fell for me, and I'm just glad I could get it in.

"It's been a rough season, but we've now won all the trophies in two years and it's nice to get the one we missed out on last year."

In truth Kyle Lightbourne's side never really looked like losing to Rangers, and once Chris Furbert had put them ahead from the penalty spot, following Keemo Smith's handball, an upset seemed unlikely.

However, PHC have struggled with their defending this season, and another lapse let Rangers back into the game moments before half-time when a free kick wasn't cleared and Jermaine Dill smashed the ball in after Jay Smith could only parry Keemo Smith's shot.

Other than the goal Rangers rarely tested Jay Smith in the first half, but ten minutes after the re-start Morricko Iris forced Smith into a flying save, and if Rohaan Simons and Jahni Bean hadn't got in each other's way inside the penalty area then they could well have taken the lead moments later.

Bean had a bad day all round. Having missed a glorious opportunity to put his side in front in the third minute, he was booked soon afterwards for an act of petulance, when he kicked the ball away after conceding a free kick. He then compounded the mistake by repeating it in the second half and was sent off.

By that time Richards had put his side ahead, the PHC defender was left completely unmarked from a corner and had the easiest of tap ins from six yards out.

"Kevin's been big for us since I've been coaching PHC," said Zebras boss Lighbourne.

"He's made a big difference in the drive in the team, and in the professionalism that he brings to the team.

"We'll miss him next season, without a doubt, he's a big player for us."

It isn't just Richards that will be leaving, defender Jonny Ball is going back to school as well. But those are worries for another day, for now Lightbourne is happy to reflect on a happy end to a difficult season.

"It was a tough game, especially with us not winning as much as we would have liked, it was always going to be a nervous affair," said Lightbourne

"But, we've ended up with a trophy out of a season where we didn't do well, so that's something."

Southampton Rangers: Jason Smith, K Tucker, J Charles, K Simmons, A Rocker (A Bean, 90), J Dill, K Smith, M Iris, J Bean, R Simmons (T Wlkinson, 70), V Perinchief (D Charles, 76). Subs not used: O Hart, G Simons, R Lowe.

Booked: K Smith.

Sent off: J Bean

PHC: Jay Smith, K Richards, O Shakir, C Dowling, B Bean, C Furbert, J Sealey (K Lambe, 61), S Astwood, K Lewis, C Castle, C Robinson (Khamisi Lightbourne, 90), R Glasford. Subs not used: F Frankson, M Lambe, L Holder, J Franklin, J Ball.

Booked: Richards, Sealey, Bean, Cstle.

Referee: G O'Brien

n Due to the (Under-18) Knock-Out semifinal being played this evening, the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) Under-23 training programme scheduled for that same evening is now rescheduled for Wednesday, April 8, at the BFA field, starting at 6 p.m.