PHC came back from a two-goal deficit late in the first half, but unfortunately they couldn't repeat that accomplishment in the second as Walter Musson completed his first hat-trick of the season last night at BAA Field for the defending champions.

A Somerset-Town final was the general consensus after last week's first round of matches, but this match was worthy of a final itself after both teams served up plenty of exciting football.

For the majority of the first half this match remained deadlocked but once Lionel Furbert scored the first goal in the 26th minute when he followed up on a cross from the right that was parried by goalkeeper Ty Williams, the entertainment level of this match rose to new heights.

Town scored a second goal in the 31st minute when Musson opened his account with a goal from a narrow angle deep on the left that beat Williams in flight before finding the far corner. That second goal would have killed the spirit of most teams but it served only to spur the Zebras on.

Almost immediately Anthony Manders in the Town goal tipped a header from Shawn Simons over the bar as PHC let their opponents know they still had something to play for.

PHC made their first substitution in the 40th minute when fulback Mark Wade, who was being kept busy by a rampant Musson, was replaced by Stanton Lewis as Blenn Bean went from the left side of midfield to rightback.

The switch paid dividends as PHC struck twice in a three minute period late in the half to wipe out Town's lead and set up an intriguing second half. The first goal came in the 42nd minute when a shot from Sheridan (Baldy) Ming was saved and before the ball was cleared Shawn Simons followed up to put away the rebound.

Then well into injury time Lewis equalised from close range after the ball was knocked back into the middle from a corner on the left.

The second half was just as exciting, though this time Town went back in front to stay. The go-ahead goal came in the 56th minute when a cross from the right by Furbert saw Musson get on the blind side of the defence at the far post to drive his volley past Williams.

PHC made another change, this time bringing on Kenny Burt for Winston Trott and switching to a 4-2-4 formation. Burt put a good chance over the top in the 75th minute after a cross from Simons was headed down by Sammy Swan.

Four minutes later the game was put out of PHC's reach. PHC defender Dano Outerbridge was robbed by Carlos Smith as he tried to control a throw in and when Smith got inside the box Blake Simons brought him down. Musson made no mistake from the penalty spot, his fifth goal of the season.

The two-leg final will be held tomorrow night at Devonshire Rec. (8.00) and on Sunday at St. David's (2.20).

Dandy Town: A.Manders; W.Rudo, W.Campbell, G.Wilson, L.Christopher; P.Douglas, L.Furbert (K.Martin 59min), T.Lewis, W.Musson, C.Smith (A.Russell 80min), D.Simons.

PHC: T.Williams; R.Lewis, B.Simons, D.Outerbridge, M.Wade (S.Lewis 40min); B.Bean, S.Ming, S.Swan, W.Trott (K.Burt 65min), S.Simons, R.Lightbourne.

Referee: Peter Sousa.

Men of match: Walter Musson (Town), Shawn Simons (PHC).