Dev. Colts 0 PHC 4

When PHC line up for another season in the Premier Division later this year, expect there to be one notable absentee from their number.

Stephen Astwood, the Zebras' mercurial striker, is expected to move on to bigger and better things in the next few months and on yesterday's evidence it is clear to see why he is attracting the admiring glances of professional suitors.

The player, who was offered terms by English First Division side Preston North End only to have his dreams scuppered by Foreign Office red tape, was instrumental in the demolition of an embarrassingly poor Colts' side.

It would be unfair to say Shannon Burgess and Co. gifted the victory to their rivals, thus ensuring the latter's top flight status, but the National Liberal Party would have provided a more effective opposition.

Despite Colts' lack of commitment the game still had to be won, and in Astwood PHC had a true match winner.

Many Island players could do worse than to watch how he plays. He dictates both his and his team-mates moves, makes simple passes instead of trying the extravagant, lets the ball do the work and, maybe most importantly, has lost the element of greed that he has possessed in the past.

He gave notice of his intent on eight minutes. Picking the ball up his own half, he fed a black and white shirt and made his way to the box. Receiving the ball back, he lifted it over the top of the static defence for Otis Steede but the latter's control let him down and the chance was lost.

Next Astwood played in Jahnai Raynor but the ball appeared to bounce up as he shaped to shoot and Kevin Bean was able to palm it away.

As it appeared PHC may have had their chance, they fashioned a goal from nowhere.

Steede took a corner from the left on 14 minutes and, caught on the wind, the ball sailed straight into the far top corner and beyond the flailing arms of Bean.

More chances came and went and when Dennis Russell fluffed an opportunity after running the length of the half it appeared a goal would have to be enough going into the break. But Colts failed to clear their lines, Astwood lofted the ball back into the box and Russell unleashed a powerful volley into the back of the net.

Russell made sure of the points in the 49th minute, directing a bullet header from the edge of the box past Bean and nine minutes later it became a rout when Raynor streaked down the left, fed a low cross into the box and Astwood got the goal his play deserved, sidefooting precisely underneath the `keeper.

As a contest it was over, Astwood even having time to mock the opposition, Muhammad Ali style as he robbed Colts of the ball and instigated another raid.

The appearance of Ray Jones as a late Colts substitute couldn't inspire his side, but at least it gave the vociferous coach an opportunity to berate referee Lyndon Raynor at an even closer proximity than usual.

Afterwards, PHC coach Mark Wade said he hoped to keep his side together for next year, with the one exception.

"I said at the beginning of the season I don't expect him (Astwood) to be here," he said. "And neither do any other members of the club.

"We wish him well. We want to add another professional to our ranks. Kyle Lightbourne came from PHC and we are looking to add another one. That is something we are proud of and if we lose him to that sort of arena we have no qualms."

Colts: K.Bean, S.Burgess, G.Gibbons, M.Hollis, C.Hill (D.Mendoza, 46 mins), J.Belboda (J.Dill, 61 mins), K.Smith, K.Burchall, J.Aberdeen, Q.Aberdeen (R.Jones, 66 mins), L.Holder.

PHC: J.Smith, C.Dowling (D.Wilson, 71 mins), S.Lewis, C.Furbert, J.Sealy, M.Williams (T.Russell, 69 mins), J.Ball, O.Steede (S.Smith, 74 mins), J.Raynor, S.Astwood, D.Russell.

Booked: G.Gibbons (Colts).

Men of the match: K.Bean (Colts); S.Astwood (PHC).

Referee: L.Raynor.