PHC 2 St. George's 1

PHC went to the top of the standings on goal difference after a 2-1 win over gritty St. George's at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday, first-half strikes from Raynel Lightbourne and Shawn Russell catapulting the home team to victory.

However, Zebras made a mess of countless further opportunities to blow their opponents off the pitch and near the end had to hold off their eastern counterparts after Sinclair Gibbons had reduced the deficit midway through the second half.

With Stephen Astwood in predator mode along with an ever opportunistic frontline of Lightbourne, Dennis and Shawn Russell lurking, it was only a matter of time before the Zebras opened their account.

In the 15th minute Lightbourne did just that after Neil Paynter failed to clear, the lanky striker slotting past a hapless Troy Hall from six yards out.

Sensing a goal glut, the PHC following readied themselves for more action but they had to wait until the stroke of half-time when Shawn Russell got in on the end of an Otis Steede cross from out on the left. That strike came just moments after he had rattled the framework with a thunderous shot from inside the 18 yard box.

"We should have won by a wider margin with all the possession we had during the match, but at the end of the day I'm pleased with the result as it bodes well for our Dudley Eve aspirations," said coach Mark Wade. "We dominated for long periods and our forwards were unlucky not to have converted more of their chances."

St. George's' only opportunity of the opening half came when William Pitt had his initial shot parried into the path of Kenneth Butterfield who could have done better with his effort.

The visitors began the second period with more urgency and began to take the match to their opponents with Ernest Signor, Kyle Williams, Gibbons and veteran Herbie Bascome beginning to penetrate deep into PHC territory. t the other end Astwood, Steede, Dennis Russell and Lightbourne continued to self-destruct in front of goal.

St. George's were awarded a penalty in the 66th minute after PHC's Andre Washington hacked down Williams in the box and Gibbons casually stepped up to place his kick to Dennis Joell's right.

Marlon Outerbridge and Mackie Crane were promptly thrust into the action as the east enders sought an equaliser.

Astwood then had a whistler smash against the crossbar, the skilful player holding his head in disbelief.

Gibbons caused a scare for the home team moments before limping off injured when his curling effort from the edge of the area came within inches of goal.

In the end it was a fair result, the Zebras not only bouncing back from defeat in their last match against Dandy Town but also ascending to the top of the pack on goal difference.

PHC: D.Joell, J.Sealy, S.Lewis, C.Furbert, A.Washington, O.Steede, (J.Mallory, 70 mins), S.Astwood, D.Wilson, S.Russell, R.Lightbourne, D.Russell.

St. George's: T.Hall, D.Signor, U.Fox, N.Paynter, E.Signor, R.Steede, (M.Outerbridge, 52 mins), K.Williams, S.Gibbons, (M.Crane, 60 mins), H.Bascome, (H.Mathie, 85 mins), K.Butterfield, W.Pitt.

Men of the match: Stephen Astwood (PHC); Neil Paynter (St. George's)

Referee: Gregory Simons