PHC 0 Dandy Town 3

Dandy Town bounced back from a disappointing defeat to Devonshire Colts last week to easily beat ten-man PHC on Saturday night.

Town took control after PHC’s Haile Eve was sent off for a handball on the goalline in the fourteenth minute. Tomiko Goater, playing in the unfamiliar role of striker, scored the subsequent penalty and struck again a minute later before Kamali Davis effectively ended the match as a contest in the 29th minute.

Coach Jarreau Hayward was delighted with his team’s attitude after the heavy defeat in their previous match.

“It was important that we bounced back after we were very disappointed with our effort last week,” Hayward said.

“These guys showed their character tonight with a good performance and three points.”

Town hit the ground running from the opening whistle and nearly opened the scoring when Davis charged at PHC goalkeeper Quinaceo Hunt’s attempted clearance with the ball hitting the winger before bouncing against the upright for Hunt to grab at the second attempt.

The game’s key incident came around the quarter-hour mark when Town centre back Edry Moore headed towards goal and PHC attacking midfielder Eve was adjudged to have handled the ball on the goalline, preventing an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

Canadian referee Renzo Villanueva had no hesitation in awarding a penalty kick and sent off Eve despite his strong protests. Captain Goater stayed composed to drive his penalty into the bottom right corner to give Town the lead.

They doubled their advantage within a minute when Goater was found unmarked to turn and fire his shot through a maze of players into the net with Hunt blinded.

PHC coach Cecoy Robinson, who was later sent off, picked up his first yellow card after venting his frustration. Town coach Hayward kept telling his side to keep their cool, which they did before scoring a third goal just before the half-hour mark when Davis was put through to outpace his marker before slotting beyond the advancing Hunt.

PHC goalkeeper Hunt had twisted his right ankle early in the first half when taking a goal kick and was replaced at half time with defender Daren Usher forced to go between the posts.

Town started the second half with the same intensity but it would be the Zebras who forced a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit by one. Chance Eve made a darting run down the right wing with his cross finding T’ysi Showers unmarked at the back post, but he would blast his shot wide from six yards with the goal at his mercy to the disbelief of his players and fans.

In the 66th minute, PHC coach Robinson continued to show his anger by kicking the ball away. This indiscretion was spotted by the fourth official who showed Robinson a second yellow card, with PHC assistant coach Kyle Lightbourne taking charge for the remainder of the match.

Minutes later, David Jones had an opportunity to extend Town’s three-goal lead but he headed wide under pressure from the stand-in goalkeeper Usher.

With time ticking away, PHC substitute Rayquan Woodley-Smith did well to beat Town goalkeeper Azir Harvey in a foot chase to a weighted through ball but he sliced wide off an empty net.

Stand-in goalkeeper Usher got called into action one more time late in the match when he made a foot save to deny substitute Nizigh Spence’s low drive after he dazzled his way past two defenders.

SCORERS

Dandy Town: Goater 14pen, 15, Davis 29

Teams

PHC Zebras (4-2-3-1): Q Hunt 5 (sub: A Astwood, 46min 5) ― K Abraham 5 (sub: M Davis, 67 5), J Bather 5, D Usher 5, D Smith-Lightbourne 5 ― D Lodge 5 (sub: A Nelson, 81), E Joseph 5 ― H Eve 5, T Showers 5 (sub: E King-Mills, 67 5), C Eve 5 (sub: R Woodley-Smith, 60 6) ― E Russell 5. Booked: Russell, Robinson (coach). Sent off: Robinson (coach).

Dandy Town (4-2-3-1): A Harvey 6 ― T Webb 5 (sub: A Trott, 66 5), D Leverock 5, Y Ramirez 6, L Simmons 5 --- E Moore 6, Q Maynard 5 (sub: N Spence 66, 6), ― K Davis (sub: J Furbert, 66 5), L Outerbridge 6 (sub: D Daniels, 72), D Jones 6 (sub: A Lewis 72) ― T Goater 8. Substitutes not used: E Swan, T Smith.

Referee: Renzo Villanueva