PHC 2

Southampton Rangers 1

A stunning goal from a curling left-wing corner by substitute Stevie Astwood clinched the points for PHC Zebras in this Premier Division clash at Southampton Oval yesterday.

In a season-opener which produced few dramatics, Zebras snatched maximum points through Astwood after 71 minutes at a time when a draw seemed to be the inevitable result with ideas clearly lacking from both teams' attacks.

And the Zebras could have made the result event more emphatic at the end but with just a few minutes left another substitute, Quincy Burgess, blew a simple chance by scooping the ball into the air and watch it cleared when he had the goal at his mercy.

PHC had to come from behind after right fullback Damon Francis' free kick was smartly headed home by the former Zebras' stalwart Dennis Russell after 18 minutes – the lanky striker catching the defence sleeping.

But the Zebras failed to panic and matched their opponents for the rest of the half with Lloyd Holder, Kevin Lambe and Jahnai Rayner always causing the defence concern with advancements deep in their opponents half.

With half-time approaching and Zebras seldom getting into scoring range their fans began calling for their long-serving forward Raynel (Mango) Lightbourne to come off the bench to add bite in the attack, but he wasn't introduced until midway through the second half.

PHC were to get their reward for perserving after Rayner had forced goalkeeper Jason Smith to smother his firmly hit shot from 16 yards five minutes before the break.

Then they hit the jackpot after 42 minutes when Holder was well placed to tap home a left-wing cross from Blenn Bean.

Rangers were unable to show any of the early form they displayed when play resumed while Zebras, while unable to take the upperhand, were never forced to defend with any urgency.

Rangers brought on Rohaan Simons to add much need spark up front and while he provided some brilliant touches he never got the support from those around him.

Zebras responded to Astwood's appearance after 64 minutes and grabbed the go-ahead goal, a blow from which Rangers could never recover.

PHC: R.Glasford, F.Frankson, R.Richardson, S.Smith; K.Griffith; C.Furbert, B.Bean, J.Sealey; J.Rayner (S.Astwood, 64 mins), L.Holder (R.Lightbourne, 80 mins), K.Lambe (Q.Burgess, 68 mins).

Subs not used: O.Shakir, J.Franklin, D.Wilson, M.Lambe.

Southampton: J.Smith; D.Francis, K.Tucker, J.Charles, K.Simmons; J.Dill, K.Smith, M.Jones (T.Brown, 70 mins); M.Williams (R.Brunson, 65 mins), M.Iris

(R.Simons, 56 mins), D.Russell.

Subs not used: J.Hill, K.Symonds.

Scorers: Lloyd Holder, Stevie Astwood (PHC), Dennis Russell (Rangers).

Yellow cards: F.Franklin, J.Rayner, S.Smith (PHC).

Referee: Anthony Mouchette

Man of the match: Lloyd Holder (Zebras).

Hamilton Parish 1

Somerset Trojans 1

Hamilton Parish and Somerset Trojans shared the spoils at Wellington Oval after neither side could find a winner.

Trojans went ahead through Adrian Burrows in the first half, only to see their opener cancelled out by Hot Peppers debutant Angelo Cannonier from the penalty spot.

But Parish were reduced to ten men when Javon Lambert was sent off.