Dev.Colts 0 PHC 0

Devonshire Colts suffered a double blow at White Hill Field yesterday when they were held to a goalless draw by PHC and saw midfielder Keenan Burchall taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder.

Though the draw coupled with Somerset Trojans' defeat at the hands of Devonshire Cougars meant that Ray Jones' men remain top of the standings, they were unable to seal their place in the Christmas series involving visiting Jamaica and further extend the points differential.

North Village, despite being seventh in the table, can still catch Colts if they win both the matches they have in hand - yesterday's postponed game against Dandy Town and their rescheduled game against PHC on Sunday.

Colts have 12 points, the same as Devonshire Cougars who defeated Trojans 2-1. But they lead the standings courtesy of a goal difference of plus one. Cougars are even.

Trojans, meanwhile, are in third, two points back on ten and Mark Wade's Zebras have eight points and go fourth courtesy of the postponement of Boulevard's clash with Somerset Eagles.

Yesterday's match, coming after the two teams met in the Martonmere and FA Cups, never really got going with PHC adopting a physical approach which sometimes was overly so.

Consequently referee Stuart Crockwell constantly had his whistle in his mouth and pen in his hand, booking four players - the first after just 12 seconds - and ejecting Colts' coach Jimmy Tweed from the bench.

To be fair to Colts they did find themselves on the end of some rather hefty challenges throughout the afternoon and although Crockwell clamped down at times, there were several instances when `foul' play went unpunished.

Ironically, Burchall's shoulder injury after 35 minutes was not the result of one, more an accidental clash between he and a PHC rival.

Clearly in severe pain he was attended first by Colts' medic, then the fire service and finally paramedics before being taken off to hospital.

Coach Wade denied his players had gone out to intentionally hurt the opposition, but said he had asked them to play hard.

"In the last two games that we played each other they were fairly physical with us so we had to come up here and be prepared for that sort of encounter and I think the guys were up to the challenge today," he said. "The Martonmere final was very physical and I think we came out on the short end that day - we were prepared for it today.

"I didn't think we were overly physical, I think we came to match the physical side of their game."

Though that part of the game plan was accomplished, Wade said he had hoped to leave the venue with a victory.

"I am happy not losing and that we got a shut-out but obviously the three points would have been a whole lot better for us in terms of trying to keep pace with the league leaders," he said. "We are looking to get ourselves back on top of the table so it's disappointing from that perspective, but all in all I am happy."

Neither `keeper really had anything to do all afternoon with what chances that did come to the frontmen being spurned.

PHC's Stephen Astwood presented Alale Furbert with a golden opportunity as early as the ninth minute, sweeping the ball through to him on the right side of the box. But instead of running on and shooting, Furbert elected to square the ball and Colts' captain Shannon Burgess was able to clear with ease.

For Colts, Ryan Evans had their best chance after a delightful lofted pass by Stephen Mendes. But when he should have least found the target from about eight yards out, Evans put the ball over the bar.

Dev. Colts: K.Dill; J.Belboda; M.Hollis; S.Burgess; R.Evans; K.Burchall (G.Gibbons, 35 mins); M.Ray; S.Mendes; J.Francis; A.Zuill; J.Smith (P.Sampson, 79 mins).

PHC: Q.Hunt; D.Wilson; O.Steede (S.Lewis, 44 mins); D.Outerbridge; J.Ball; T.Russell; A.Furbert (L.Bascome, 70 mins); B.Bean; J.Raynor (M.Williams, 84 mins); D.Russell; S.Astwood.

Bookings: J.Smith; G.Gibbons (Colts); D.Outerbridge, D.Wilson (PHC)

Men of the match: R.Evans (Colts); D.Wilson (PHC).

Referee: S.Crockwell.