Devonshire Colts 2 PHC Zebras 1 (aet)

The sending off of four players, Police intervention on the pitch and the arrest of a former player all combined to overshadow Devonshire Colts' first Martonmere Cup triumph in 30 years at Wellington Oval yesterday.

With Colts leading 2-1 late into the second period of extra-time and hanging on for dear life as PHC mounted an all-out assault, Zebras' second half substitute Raynel (Manga) Lightbourne was blown for a foul on Devonshire `keeper Cymande Davis as the dreadlocked striker challenged for a high loose ball.

Colts' half-time substitute McKonnen Hollis then appeared to lose his cool as he ran up and shoved the wiry forward to the ground before both team benches cleared and gathered around the two players.

At least four fans were also spotted near the fracas which lasted several minutes as officials from both clubs tried to break up the melee.

Police at the ground were dispatched onto the field but order was finally restored before they reached the skirmish which saw both players involved receive their marching orders.

At this point, it was surprising that referee Lyndon Raynor allowed the match to continue in fast-fading light and he might have felt tempted to abandon play which, unlike the Remembrance Day holiday itself, will quickly want to be forgotten by many of the 1,500 fans who had gathered in the hope of witnessing some attractive soccer.

The match finally ended at 5.30 p.m. in almost total darkness.

An earlier incident involving PHC's Stephen Astwood and Colts' Jermel Belboda might have been a bad omen as they were sent packing in the first half after they too became involved in a brief skirmish just inside Devonshire's touchline.

And to add insult to injury, in a non-soccer related incident former Colts player Jay Bean was escorted by police in handcuffs out of the grounds.

But amidst all of the calamity, it would be the late saving heroics of Colts' `keeper Davis and Aljame Zuill's spot-kick during the first period of extra-time which would help land Colts their first Martonmere Cup triumph in three decades. Colts Lloyd Holder and PHC's Stephen Astwood had earlier traded goals in the first half.

Colts captain Shannon Burgess, though relieved that the long drought had finally ended, admitted following the match that it wasn't one of his team's better performances.

"Obviously this was one of our goals during the pre-season," said Burgess.

"A lot of the guys have played for Colts through and through and have won every trophy besides this one - this was the only one that had eluded us, so we were determined to add the missing link to the puzzle and now that we have won it, it's a great feeling!"

Burgess also praised `keeper Davis for his match-saving exploits.

"Cymande was the man of the match, without a doubt," said Burgess.

"Without him we would have lost today. But in the end it was a total team effort. We went down to ten men, we lost our vice-captain to a red card and then our captain to an injury but guys stepped it up and defended well when we had to.

"But although we didn't play that well we defended well when we had to and again Cymande had a spectacular game."

That was something of an understatement. The former Wolves goalie was called on to make four superb saves late in the second half of regulation time as Lightbourne was presented with three clear opportunities to settle the affair.

Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea for the Zebras striker to replace his number 13 jersey with another one.

Davis also dived full length to save a powerful Chris Furbert free kick from just outside the 18-yard box.

A dejected PHC coach Mark Wade refused to comment following the match after watching his young team dominate a greater part of the game but waste countless opportunities.

Earlier, those who had made the long journey to St.George's couldn't be blamed for thinking that they were in for a huge treat when Holder rocked Zebras back on their heels in only the second minute of play as he calmly tapped in Zuill's cross from out on the right to give his team a 1-0 lead.

But the teams were level within seven minutes as Zebras stormed back with an Astwood penalty after Tokia Russell had been felled in the box.

Shortly after Astwood turned from hero to villain as he and Belboda were sent off. With both teams now reduced to ten men, PHC seemed to lose their rhythm while in contrast Colts appeared to come into their own, almost retaking the lead with some quick raids.

First Zebras' young `keeper Dennis Joell positioned himself well to deny Zuill's point-blank header before PHC captain Stanton Lewis was called upon to thwart Zuill on two occasions. At the other end, Russell and Kevin Lambe could have done better with their finishing from close range.

However, despite enjoying their fair share of chances, both teams would remain deadlocked until - with penalty kicks looming - referee Raynor pointed to the spot after Joell rushed off his line to challenge Zuill. A calm Zuill then got to his feet and placed his kick firmly to Joell's right to finally bring to an end one of the longest droughts in local soccer history.

Devonshire Colts: C.Davis, Jer.Belboda, S.Burgess (M.Hollis, 45 mins), K.Simpson, A.Thomas, L.Holder (P.Sampson, 57, mins), J.Simmons, J.Dill (Jer.Belboda, 66 mins), S.Mendes, S.Waldron, A.Zuill.

PHC: D.Joell, D.Wilson (A.Furbert, 66 mins), C.Dowling, S.Lewis, J.Ball, T.Russell (Tor.Russell, 78 mins), C.Furbert, O.Shakir, J.Raynor, S.Astwood, K.Lambe (R.Lightbourne, 60 mins).

Booked: J.Dill, S.Mendes, A.Zuill (Colts)

Sent off: Jer.Belboda, M.Hollis (Colts); S.Astwood, R.Lightbourne (PHC).

Men of the match: C.Davis (Colts); S.Lewis (PHC).

Referee: L.Raynor.