Devonshire Colts 0 PHC 2

A Blenn Bean first half screamer and a late second goal from substitute Ibou Barry gave PHC a fully deserved three points at Police Field yesterday.

Devonshire Colts? seventh defeat of the Premier Division season means that they stay just one place higher than the pointless Ireland Rangers at the foot of the table while PHC?s victory sees them remain in fifth place with only four games remaining.

What for the most part was a relatively clean game was spoiled near the end of the 90 minutes when Colts? Ryan Purnell was sent off by referee Granville Bennett for an off-the-ball kick at PHC ?keeper Raymond Glasford which was spotted by linesman Ralph Tumbridge.

The decision incensed both Colts coach Ray Jones and captain Shannon Burgess, with the latter lucky not to be sent off himself for his angry and abusive remonstrations.

Even after the final whistle, Jones made a point of running across the field to give Tumbridge a piece of his mind, telling him he was not competent to officiate in Premier Division games.

When asked afterwards whether the coach?s behaviour would be included in his match report to Bermuda Football Association, referee Bennett would not comment.

Meanwhile, the first half began with Colts in control of proceedings, as PHC struggled to keep hold of the ball or string a few decent passes together.

Colts looked initially bright and energetic, making the PHC back line pay on numerous occasions for the dangerously high line they were determined to hold near half-way.

The first chance fell to Enrique Wilson who, having beaten the offside trap and collected a long ball from Burgess, shot narrowly wide of the right hand upright.

Only minutes later Wilson was in the clear again, only to be denied by a brave diving save at his feet by the excellent Glasford.

Colts had six reasonable chances to score in the first 45 minutes but converted none of them, a fact which was not lost on coach Jones as he paced angrily up and down the touch line.

And on 27 minutes, Colts were made to pay for their early wastefulness by PHC?s Bean, whose searing left foot volley from 25 yards out gave a diving Kevin Bean absolutely no chance.

The goal prompted a distinct shift in momentum, as PHC upped the tempo of their play and Colts appeared to tire in the unseasonally hot afternoon sunshine.

In contrast to the first 20 minutes, Mark Wade?s men began winning almost every 50-50 ball in the centre of the park while putting together some delightful little interchanges on the edge of the Colts penalty area which had their defenders stretched to the limit.

Both sides started the second half poorly, however, with neither looking to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

Finally after 60 minutes an opening was created as the irrepressible Bean once again made space for himself down the left hand channel before watching his well struck shot again saved impressively by his namesake in the Colts goal.

Colts were certainly not out of the running completely and frequently got themselves into strong positions with some slick build-up play.

But a good final ball or a clinical finish were consistently lacking.

They did have one chance late on after a succession of corners when skipper Burgess volleyed just over, but in truth PHC always appeared the fitter, stronger and hungrier side.

With only a few minutes to go, Purnell found himself heading for an early shower, before Barry rubbed salt into Colts? wounds by gliding in at the far post to slide the ball home from five yards.

For Colts the performance of their goalkeeper Bean ? who pulled off five highly athletic saves during the afternoon ? was the only real positive and they were left to rue opportunities that were not put away in the first half.

Devonshire Colts: K.Bean, S.Burgess, J.Darrell (K.Lawrence), J.Butterfield (N.Samuels 14 mins), A.Lowe, D.Williams, G.Trott, W.Ming, R.Purnell, E.Wilson (R.Evans 76 mins), O.Ray

PHC: R.Glasford, M.Fubler, T.Russell, S.Lewis, J.Mallory (D.Wilson 62 mins), M.Williams (I.Barry 80 mins), O.Shakir, C.Furbert, B.Bean, R.Lightbourne, A.Russell (S.Swan 83 mins)

Yellow cards: D.Williams (Colts), B.Bean (PHC)

Red card: R.Purnell (Colts)

Men of the Match: K.Bean (Colts), B.Bean (PHC)

Referee: G.Bennett