He goes by the nickname of Snapper. But yesterday North Village midfield schemer Taurean Manders proved to be a real Barracuda at Southampton Oval.

The diminutive player preyed on a lethargic Zebras defence, netting Village?s second goal after the break and then laying the groundwork for Kentoine Jennings to bury the hatchet 24 minutes from time and secure three more crucial points for the title contenders.

Reds striker Nakia Smith scored his team?s opening goal right on the half while Raynel (Manga) Lightbourne netted Zebras? 75th minute consolation.

It was a match Village thoroughly deserved to win and one Zebras handed to them on a silver platter.

Village?s win enabled them to take full advantage of leaders Somerset Trojans? scoreless draw with Boulevard that shaved the West Enders? advantage down to a single point with the league campaign heading to what promises to be an exciting climax.

Village dominated the opening 45 minutes while a flat-footed PHC felt their way around a slick Southampton Oval like a blind man without a cane.

Village should have led by at least three goals at the break, but thanks to some timely saves on the part of Raymon Glasford in the Zebras goal and a few close calls, the home team were spared early blushes.

With Village firmly in command, Glasford positioned himself at the near post to turn back a vicious Keishen Bean drive on the run and react quickly to thwart Smith inside the area while Ralph Bean jr lobbed over.

Arguably the smallest player on the pitch, Manders proved to be a real thorn in Zebras? side, particularly in the first half as he ran into space coming from deep or wide on the flanks.

Such was Village?s dominance, Zebras didn?t earn a single corner in the first half and had to wait until the 42nd minute to get a first shot on target, skipper Blenn Bean?s effort from the top of the box failing to bother Zane Hendrickson between the uprights.

The only thing PHC had working in their favour at this juncture was a well organised offside trap which often entangled Ralph Bean, Smith and the towering Tyrell Burgess in its web.

Yet just when it appeared as though Zebras would be let off the hook, Smith popped up inside the six-yard box and squeezed Keith Jennings? well-weighted free kick past a heavily guarded goal to give Village the lead they so deserved.

And had it not been for the heroics of Glasford, Zebras could have easily gone into the dressing room trailing by three goals as the keeper denied Smith with his legs and then produced a stunning reflex save to tip over a Keith Jennings? howitzer destined for the roof of the net.

Though trailing by one, Zebras came out a slightly different bunch with Lightbourne ? on for the injured Dennis Russell just before the half ? creating space for himself up front with Village now defending the muddier northern end of the ground.

With Zebras? captain Bean running tirelessly and challenging for every loose ball, PHC began a revival. During a counter attack down the middle, Bean spoon fed Antwon Russell with a defence-splitting pass the lanky striker should have buried. Instead he dragged his shot wide of the far post.

Lightbourne would also make a hash of things minutes later when he shot weakly into the arms of Hendrickson.

And PHC paid a heavy price for those misses as Manders, with time and space, side-footed Ralph Bean?s short pass inside the 18-yard-box in at the far post from a slight angle.

Village then threatened to make things ugly with Burgess volleying just wide and Glasford charging off his line to beat Smith to a loose ball.

PHC finally pulled one back when Lightbourne side-footed a Stanton Lewis rebound past the hapless ?keeper who had parried the initial effort into the wiry striker?s path.

But Zebras? hopes were dashed less than a minute later when Reds stalwart Kentoine Jennings drilled Manders? cross from the left past the stranded Glasford at the back post.: R.Glasford, M.Fubler, T.Russell, S.Lewis, J.Ball, M.Williams (S.Swan, 75 mins), O.Shakir, B,Bean (capt), D.Wilson (C.Furbert, 55 mins), A.Russell, D.Russell (R.Lightbourne, 44 mins).: Z.Hendrickson, D.Edwards, K.Dill, Ken.Jennings (capt), K.Jennings, T.Manders, R.Bean jr, T.Outerbridge (J.Boyles, 89 mins), N.Smith, K.Bean, T.Burgess.: D.Wilson, A.Russell, D.Russell (PHC); T.Outerbridge, N.Smith, K.Bean (Village): B.Bean (PHC); T.Manders (Village): Anthony Mouchette.