PHC 3 Wolves 0

PHC continued their impressive start to the Premier league campaign with this emphatic 3-0 victory over visiting Wolves at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday - a win that kept them on top of the table.

All the goals came in the second half, one by Otis Steede and two beautifully executed left-footed blasts from the boot of winger Dennis Russell which ensured maximum points for the home team.

"I'm happy with our team's defensive game in that we got a shutout - the first-half was pathetic, we didn't really accomplish much going forward," said Zebras coach Mark Wade.

Both teams wasted good opportunities to give their respective clubs the lead heading into the half. Wolves' Chae Simmons enjoyed a busy afternoon and was unfortunate not to open his account on at least three occasions as Wolves went in search of the opener.

At the other end, Steede brought off an excellent save from Corby Durrant in the Wolves goal with a crisp strike from 25 yards, PHC's best effort of the half.

Whatever coach Wade vented during the interval obviously motivated his players as the Zebras immediately took the lead after the restart, Steede poking the ball across the line after a brief scramble in the goalmouth.

Stephen Astwood came close in the 60th minute, having his effort smothered by Durrant, but the keeper could only watch in vain moments later as Russell produced a gem of a goal, the youngster evading two tackles before unleashing a left-footed shot that sailed into Durrant's top far corner.

Russell punctuated a fine performance in the 70th minute re-directing a Duval Wilson cross with yet another left-footed blast inside the area.

Wolves, now visibly a beaten side, had a few sporadic chances in the closing moments, forward Simmons unlucky not to get a consolation after sub Johnny Ball cleared his goal-bound effort off the line.

"Our team came together as a unit in the second-half. We saw what they could produce in terms of attacking football. We'll take these three points," added a contented Wade.

PHC ; Q.Hunt, C.Dowling, C.Furbert, S.Lewis, (D.Joel, 5 mins), J.Sealy, D.Wilson, O.Steede, S.Russell, S.Astwood, (J.Ball, 45 mins), D.Russell (J.Raynor, 60 mins), R.Lightbourne.

Wolves; C.Durrant; T.Trott; J.Simmons; ( (J.Douglas, 60 mins), K.Butterfield, A.Thomas, M.Ray, (V.Minors, 80 mins), T.Davis, J.Peniston, N.Smith, (S.Waldron, 75 mins) C.Simmons, P.Sampson.

Men of the Match: Dennis Russell (PHC); Chae Simmons (Wolves)

Referee: A.Mouchette