PHC 2 Devonshire Cougars 2

In a match that had no shortage of drama, PHC Zebras were knocked off the top of the Premier Division yesterday when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Devonshire Cougars at Somerset Cricket Club.

After twice taking the lead through Dennis Russell and the returning Stephen Astwood - just back from trials with Scottish Premier League Livingston - PHC were unable to maintain their grip on the game as the dynamic duo of Heys Wolfe and Raymond Beach earned Cougars a share of the spoils.

In fact, the Zebras enjoyed a let-off when late second-half substitute Kori Goddard came close to producing a Cougars winner with a deft lob that missed by inches.

In a match full of passion, tempers often boiled over and referee Lyndon Raynor was constantly called upon to restore order.

"I am a little disappointed that we didn't get three points. I think we made a few mental lapses in defence and it proved costly in the end," said PHC coach Mark Wade. "But in the end I think the result was fair. Cougars had some chances and so did we."

Both teams began the game with guns ablaze, Wolfe managing to elude PHC's offside trap before his hurried effort was easily recovered by 'keeper Stefan Dupres, while Russell gave a glimpse of his intentions at the other end with a lob that just missed the target.

Cougars' big midfielder Mark Smith then let fly with one of his trademark long range blasts from outside the area that wasn't far from off the mark as play switched from end to end.

Midway through the opening half, Cougars' Dennis Eve flighted in a cross that found Beach just on the edge of the area and he unleashed a shot that Dupres was well positioned to collect.

It was PHC, however, who struck first when Russell's first-time shot from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection before settling in the bottom left corner of the net.

However, before the dust had settled Cougars had drawn level, Beach redirecting a Kyjuan Saltus' inswinger into the net from 18 yards.

Both Astwood and Raynel Lightbourne saw chances go wide moments before the half.

With Shawn Smith pushing forward to assist in attack, Cougars showed more intensity during the opening period of the second half, but PHC relied on the quick break and on one such excursion Lightbourne should have done better with his header from four yards out.

Astwood then brought the house down with a typical stroke of genius, taking possession in the middle of the half before looking up and firing home a a rocket to restore PHC's lead.

But again before the celebrations had finished, Cougars were level, Wolfe stabbing the ball into the net from six yards out.

With the pendulum swinging from end to end, both teams looked capable of pulling off victory.

"I feel that we should have won the match. It's hard, but we'll take the draw away from home," said Cougars coach Albert Smith.

PHC: S.Dupres, J.Sealy, C.Furbert, D,Wilson, S.Lewis, S.Russell (M.Williams, 54 mins), O.Steede, J.Raynor, S.Astwood, R.Lightbourne (T.Russell 60 mins), D.Russell.

Dev. Cougars: R.Brangman, D.Brangman, G.Butterfield, C.Smith, M.Dill (E.Richardson 56 mins), D.Eve (K.Goddard 67 mins), S.Smith, K.Saltus (C.Darrell 59 mins), M.Smith, R.Beach, H.Wolfe.

Bookings: D.Wilson, S.Russell (PHC); M.Dill, C.Smith, K.Goddard (Dev.Cougars).

Men of the Match: S.Astwood (PHC); S.Smith (Dev.Cougars).

Referee: Lyndon Raynor.