PHC 0 Somerset 3

Marvin Belboda struck a hat-trick as he helped Somerset Trojans knock their opponents off the top of the Premier Division at Somerset yesterday.

The Zebras dropped from first to second while the west enders moved from seventh to sixth to inch further away from the relegation zone - snatching maximum points at a time when coach Mark Trott is away in the United States on a business trip, leaving Joseph Gooden in charge.

Somerset took a decisive edge in the second half when Belboda raised his pace and rhythm - after a sluggish opening half - to lead the Trojans attack with some spirited runs at the defence.

He scored his first goal after 41 minutes, converted the second after 50 minutes and stroked home the third after 80 minutes. None were spectacular but all were good enough to give the Trojans a victory they deserved.

PHC were unable to shake off the blues from their defeat against Wolves in the Dudley Eve final, rarely looking capable of turning things around against the home side during the entire 90 minutes.

Striker Raynel Lightbourne put the Trojans defence on alert with some penetrating runs, but too often he was left to soldier alone with nothing coming from their advances once play reached the penalty area.

Most of the clear-cut chances fell to Somerset in the first half but Dwight Basden missed a few sitters, his gaffe after 20 minutes upsetting some of his team-mates after Rohaan Simons crossed from the left and Basden had his shot blocked by advancing goalkeeper Quincy Hunt.

After 38 minutes Somerset were frustrated again when skipper Karl Roberts' poorly struck and poorly directed penalty was easily saved by Hunt - the spot kick having been awarded after Belboda was fouled during one of his many solo dribbling acts.

The inevitable go-ahead goal came after 41 minutes when the fleet-footed Simons crossed from the left wing and Belboda was on hand to tap home.

With the ambitious Chris Furbert attempting to sort things out in the middle for the jaded Zebras, they showed early promise when play re-started but before they could strike, Belboda and Simons teamed up once again.

This time Simons crossed from the right wing and goalkeeper Hunt and two defenders failed miserably to clear the ball allowing the unmarked Belboda to gratefully head it over the line from just four yards.

The Zebras were very much wounded after falling behind 2-0 but Lightbourne continued to worry the defence with some forceful running.

However, after 65 minutes he blew a chance to score when he directed a shot right at goalkeeper Timmy Figureido after slipping behind the defence.

This deflated the Zebras further and Somerset were able to dominate play until the end with hard-working midfielder David Lawler providing the spadework that produced another ball for `Johnny on the spot' Belboda to slip home the third goal from a few yards out.

Zebras showed their frustration again when Michael Williams was sent off for a second bookable offence shortly afterwards. But by then the Trojans had put the result beyond their reach.

To their credit though, PHC did not play dead with Jahnai Raynor and Chris Furbert forcing Figureido to make good saves late on.

PHC: Q.Hunt; J.Sealey, D.Outerbridge, S.Lewis, D.Wilson; J.Raynor, C.Furbert, M.Williams, S.Russell (O.Steede, 70 mins); D.Russell, R.Lightbourne (D.Tucker, 75 mins. Substitutes not used: S.Dupres, J.Flood, N.Simons.

Booked: J.Raynor, S.Lewis. Sent off: M. Williams.

Somerset: T.Figureido; T.Fubler, K.Roberts, R.Simmons, A.Rahman; T.Russell, O.Shakir (J.Scott, 68 mins), D.Lawler (Nadir Wade, 82 mins); R.Simons, D.Basden (Nasir Wade, 72 mins), M.Belboda. Substitutes not used: D.Rahman. Booked: M.Belboda.

Men of the match: Chris Furbert (PHC); Marvin Belboda (Somerset).

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.