PHC 1 North Village 2

A stroke of genius by veteran Village forward Dwight Warren made ten-man PHC `Pay' dearly and sent his side to the top of the table at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday.

Timing a run deep in Zebra's terrain with precision, `Payback' Warren controlled a lofted delivery from midfield before rifling home a rasping shot from the edge of the 18 yard box with his right boot 13 minutes from time. The shot went in off the underside of the bar and sparked a mad frenzy among the die-hard Village supporters.

Warren's blast came eight minutes after college youngster Ralph Bean Jr. erased Stephen Astwood's 44th minute penalty kick for PHC.

Village continued their fine revival of late after a slow start to the season and now find themselves on familiar ground at the top of the standings - ideally poised for a second league championship in 23 years.

"I was glad that my players were able to stick in there for the duration of the match. It was a difficult first half for us as far as missing a lot of opportunities but it was only a matter of time before we would capitalise," said Village coach Scott Morton following his team's third league win of the season.

Morton said Warren's strike was top drawer.

"The reason it was first class for `Payback' was because he used his right foot and we always stress to him that he must give it a try sometimes.

"This time he caught it cleanly and it was a beautiful goal," said the coach.

The final scoreline flattered PHC as both Bean and Jemeiko Jennings rattled the bar during the first half while Kevin Jennings, Kofi Dill, and second-half substitute Mackie Crane all squandered simple chances to blow their opponents off the pitch.

Zebras `keeper Quincy Hunt could also be credited for keeping the score down as he was called upon several times to thwart a hungry Village attack.

Zebras actually had the better of the early moments of the encounter with Astwood, Kevin Lambe and Jahnai Raynor causing panic up front.

Astwood sent Lambe goal-bound down the left side in the 16th minute but the forward's first time lob was parried away for a corner by Dwayne (Streaker) Adams, the Village `keeper.

Veteran sweeper Kentoine Jennings was then called upon to cut out Astwood's pass to Lambe deep in his own half. A returning Otis Steede also tested the waters with some long range ballistics.

But as the half wore on Village began to hit top stride, forcing PHC on the defensive with three successive corners before Bean and Jemeiko Jennings hit the framework - the latter in bizarre fashion as his effort somehow rebounded safely into the hands of a scrambling Hunt.

However, it was the home team who forged ahead against the run of play when Astwood was clipped from behind by Dill as he raced toward goal. The lanky striker picked himself up and smashed his spotkick to the left of a wrong-footed Adams to send Zebras into the break with a one goal advantage.

Village were handed a numerical advantage when PHC defender Johnny Ball was shown the red card by referee Richard Knight for a second bookable offence after he fouled Shannon DeShield.

It was only a matter of time before Village found the target. Michael Hansey should have equalised for the reds in the 54th minute but instead shot wide from ten yards.

Hunt was then forced to palm away a dangerous DeShield cross from the right side before the `keeper bravely collected low to deny Daniel Jennings from eight yards with at least three Village forwards ready to pounce.

Village3's hard work finally paid off when Bean rose at the near post to redirect a Kevin Jennings corner kick across the goalline.

PHC second half substitute Duval Wilson received a booking for handling Bean's effort but the referee still allowed the goal to stand.

Given a taste of blood, Village went into overdrive in search of the winner and Warren seized the initiative with a flash of magic to finish off their hosts with a blast that has to be rated by the player as a career best.

Village will now meet Jamaica on Boxing Day at the National Sports Centre.

@SPagatenoindent:PHC: Q.Hunt, S.Lewis, J.Ball, D.Outerbridge, S.Simmons, B.Bean, C.Furbert, O.Steede, J.Raynor (L.Bascome, 76 mins), S.Astwood (D.Russell, 87 mins), K.Lambe (D.Wilson, 59 mins).

North Village: D.Adams, S.DeShield, R.Spence, Ken.Jennings, K.Dill, M.Hansey, D.Jennings, Kev.Jennings (J.Boyles, 83 mins), R.Bean, J.Jennings (M.Crane, 79 mins), D.Warren.

Booked: D.Wilson (PHC)

Sent off: J.Ball (PHC)

Men of the match: Q.Hunt (PHC); D.Warren (Village)

Referee: Richard Knight.