Boulevard Blazers 0

PHC Zebras 4

Premier Division pacesetters PHC Zebras yesterday became the first team to qualify for the Dudley Eve when they brushed aside a lackluster Blazers squad at BAA field.

A goal in the first half by defender Kevin Richards followed by three more in the second half from Raynel Lightbourne and two own goals made it a frustrating day for home team Blazers whose fans must have been saddened by this unexpected sub-standard performance.

But the Zebras had nothing to rave about either. Much of their play was indeed undistinguished with the visitors only able to show some sign of sparkle later in the second half when they started to gain the upperhand after taking a comfortable 2-0 lead over their host.

It was billed as the game of the day but only a modest crowd showed up and those who stayed away must have had some idea of the sluggish performances they would have had to endure from the teams - expecially in the first half.

Numerous basic errors were the order of the day with advances by both teams often ending by misdirected passing just as they entered the penalty box.

Some 24 minutes of dull play finally ended with Richards scoring for the Zebras, sensationally placing his overhead kick from just inside the box beyond the reach of a stunned Shejuan Swan in the Blazers' goal.

The one-goal edge gave Zebras a slight territorial advantage for the rest of the half while no goals were to come their way. Blazers continued to look completely out of touch and were unable to get a direct shot on the Zebras' goal.

Play however was to come alive at the restart with Zebras showing immediate appetite for goals. After just 25 seconds Blenn Bean and Lightbourne combined, only to see the latter heading poorly over the bar from close in.

Zebras took an inevitable 2-0 lead after 60 minutes thanks to a blunder by Swan in the Blazers' goal. Astonishingly the goalkeeper miskicked a seemingly harmless ball which Lightbourne graciously collected and tapped home from close range.

Things become worst for Blazers who lacked attacking ideas with even the usual competent Angelo Simmons unable to find his magic touch during a couple of advances by his team.

Blazers were let off the hook after 61 minutes when Lightbourne missed a sitter after rounding the advancing goalkeeper and then watch in agony as his delayed shot was cleared by defenders.

Another miss was to follow for Zebras three minutes later, this time forward Dennis Russell put his shot straight at Swan from close in after combining with Lightbourne.

Blazers, who never looked capable of coming into the contest with any momentum, had their first real effort after 68 minutes when substitute Takeyhi Walker drilled a free kick from 19 yards which Jay Smith in the Zebras' goal was forced to dive full-length to his left to push around the post for a corner.

But that was all Blazers managed because the remainder of the game belonged to Zebras who pinned down their opponents and came way with two further goals which referee Lyndon Raynor was to attribute to be own goals by Worrell and Chae Simmons.

Although it might not have been a championship performance Zebras played well enough to emerge winners and land a place in the Dudley Eve while holding down first place in the tables.

Boulevard: S.Swan, C.Matthews, J.Samuels, S.Worrell, J.Payne; C.Simmons, N.Smith, L.Crofton; W.Place (T.Walker, 67 min), I.Coke (A.Williams, 67 min), A.Simmons. Subs not used: Jahmari Samuels, K.Butterfield.

PHC: J.Smith; K.Richards, C.Dowling, O.Shakir, J.Ball; I.Barry (C.Castle, 86 min), K.Lewis, B.Bean; R.Lightbourne (J.Rayner, 65 min), D.Russell, C.Robiinson (K.Lambe, 78 min). Subs not used: S.Smith, J.Almedia.

Booked: R.Lightbourne and O.Shakir (PHC); N.Smith (Blve).

Men of the match: Jahmah Samuels (Blazers); Kevin Richards (Zebras).

Referee: Lyndon Raynor