PHC Zebras 4 Somerset Trojans 0

PHC Zebras tightened their grip on the Premier Division title race with a lopsided victory over Somerset Trojans at PHC Field yesterday.

The league leaders opened their account early when Tre Ming floated in a free-kick and Trojans central defender Jaz Ratteray-Smith attempted to clear with a header that, unfortunately for the Trojans, went into his own goal leaving goalkeeper Jade Morrisey with no chance to save.

The goal was a forecast of ominous things to come for Somerset when they squandered a glorious opportunity to level in the 13th minute. Defender Makai Joell eluded two Zebras defenders down the left flank and sent in a low cross that found a streaking Malachi Jones just inside the penalty area. Jones squeezed off his shot that badly missed the mark from close range.

His miss would prove costly as moments later, PHC scored their second when Idrees Sharrieff, who was sent through by Cecoy Robinson, managed to beat the offside trap to calmly slot past Morrisey.

Consecutive near misses by Robinson and Kushae Hypolite in the 37th and 39th minutes respectively could have put the Trojans out of their misery even earlier. Their perseverance would, however, lead them to their third goal four minutes before half-time after Casey Castle chased down a long pass, cut in on goal and squared the ball forward to a hustling Marco Warren, who tapped in.

However, Somerset regrouped and they came close to scoring themselves, but Jaden Ratteray-Smith blasted over from just outside the penalty area.

PHC scored their fourth in the 77th minute. Ming dispossessed a defender attempting to dribble out of the penalty area, raced in on goal and fired hard and low past the advancing keeper.

“PHC is a very dynamic team,” Trojans coach Danvers Seymour Jr said. “They played hard and managed to expose our weaknesses. However, moving forward over the last four games of the season our goal is about survival. We know it’s not going to be easy, but we are determined to play hard until the end and will try to secure our Dudley Eve position.”

Scott Morton, the PHC coach, said: “For us, nothing changes. What is important to us is focusing on the process, keeping up our intensity levels and not giving up goals. Taking one game at a time, it will be important for us to keep believing in ourselves and what we are trying to achieve. If we keep taking this approach, the results will take care of themselves.”

SCORERS

PHC Zebras

Jaz Ratteray-Smith (og) 3, Sharrieff 15, Warren 41, Ming 77

TEAMS

PHC Zebras (4-3-3): S Trott — D Usher, N Griffiths, R DeShields, C Castle (sub: K Abraham, 56 min) — M Waldron, T Ming, C Robinson — M Warren, I Sharrieff (sub: M Lambe, 70), K Hypolite (sub: D Albouy, 56). Substitutes not used: Q Hunt, D Davis, J Iris, K Bean.

Somerset Trojans (4-4-2): J Morrisey — J Corday, H Butterfield (sub: C Durham, 51), Jaz Ratteray-Smith, Jaden Ratteray-Smith — M Joell, T Ming, M Jones (sub: J Butterfield, 53), L Burgess — D Swan, A Trott. Substitutes not used: Z Darrell, R Simmons, J Greaves, S Nasir, V Perinchief. Booked: Jones.

Referee: L Rayner.