Devonshire Cougars 2 PHC Zebras 1

Just a day after being announced as this week?s most valuable player in the Premier Division, Domico Coddington produced a stroke of genius to keep Devonshire Cougars on the top of the Premier Division at the Den last night.

On as a 56th minute replacement for teenage right winger Lamont Brangman, the 20-year-old midfielder drilled an angled right-footed low drive from just beyond the penalty area through a maze of players into the far right hand corner to stretch Cougars? early season win streak to four and add to his fast growing legacy at the Den.

The relentless Aljame Zuill had earlier put the home team ahead with a free header at the far post while Antwon Russell replied for an aggressive Zebras team who managed to match their hosts for long spells only to let it slip away with one quick flash of Coddington brilliance.

At this rate, the Bermuda national team player ? awarded a mobile phone as the season?s first player of the week ? might have a closet full phones by the end of the season.

That Cougars prevailed, however, also owed much to the hard work of Zuill who ran the Zebras defence ragged and, astonishingly, had four additional goals all ruled offside.

Towering midfielder Mark Smith, making only his second appearance of the season, and skipper Kwame Tucker also played key roles in ensuring their team never lost shape in the middle of the park, at times congested as both clubs went with a 4-4-2 formation.

Though Zebras came up with the short end of the stick, they were never totally out of this match and, with a little bit of luck ? and a better first touch ? could have easily pulled off the season?s first major upset.

However, the ball just wouldn?t bounce for a striker Raynell (Manga) Lightbourne who blew a plethora of golden opportunities while a decision to replace Jahvon Mallory ? who played a major role setting up his team?s sole strike ? raised many eyebrows as his darting runs down the left flank and middle had appeared to unsettle Cougars? back four.

With neither team giving much away in the opening half-hour, Cougars drew first blood with Zuill heading home Worrell Bean?s cross from the left.

Cougars joy would be short lived, however, as Russell capitalised on a quick Zebras counter attack by keeping his composure and calmly slotting the ball beyond an advancing Dyke Lawrence in goal.

But Cougars dominated the final few minutes of the half and nearly went ahead when Zuill had a goal-bound shot rebound off the body of Corey Dowling while the alertness of PHC?s ?keeper Jay Smith denied his namesake Shawn Smith a deserved goal by turning the latter?s powerful header around the post.

While Cougars struggled to find their rhythm after the restart, Zebras continued to peck away at their hosts with Lightbourne, often left alone to fend for himself, in the the thick of the action.

But the visitors? inability to capitalise on their chances allowed Cougars, now with Coddington orchestrating on the right side, to gradually shift into top gear.

And after being on the field for only eight minutes, the gifted player was given just enough room to produce his magic and secure all three points for the home side.

Devonshire: D.Lawrence, S.Smith, D.Cox, O.Butterfield, J.Butterfield, J.DeShields, M.Smith, K.Steede, A.Zuill, W.Bean (R.Baker, 83 mins), L.Brangman (D.Codington, 56 mins).

PHC: J.Smith, R.Richardson, A.Furbert, C.Dowling, M.Lambe (J.Sealley, 83 mins), J.Mallory (D.Hunt, 57 mins), C.Furbert, A.Stovell, A.Russell (K.Lambe, 73 mins), O.Shakir, R.Lightbourne.

Booked: C.Furbert, A.Stovell (PHC)

Men of the match: A.Zuill (Cougars); A.Furbert/J.Smith (PHC).

Referee: Gary Bennett.