Dandy Town 3 PHC 2

Defending Premier Division champions Dandy Town continued their revival after a poor start to the season when they came from behind to hand visiting PHC a 3-2 defeat at St. John's Field on Saturday night.

Goals from Seyoum Tuzo, Rodney Bascome and Reggie Tucker erased a first-half Raynel Lightbourne strike for the visitors.

Town secured the victory after a determined fightback during a 20-minute spell just prior and immediately after the break. But they were also helped by an ineffective PHC frontline that endured a quiet night in front of goal.

"I'm satisfied with the result, I thought we displayed some attacking football in the first half which is what we've been been trying to promote," said Town coach Andrew Bascome.

"We've been trying different formations and I think that the W/M formation, which is ancient by today's standards but still effective as far as getting players forward, worked. But we still have to capitalise on our chances."

With captain Lionel Furbert out through injury, the home team took the initiative and controlled the flow from the opening whistle when Devon Binns combined on the left side with Rodney Bascome to send over a cross that caused havoc in the Zebras' goalmouth. Bascome, Tucker and Simons all had shots blocked on the goal-line.

Town, relentless in attack and with the returning Bascome and ever vigilant Darron (Duke) Simons probing up front, were ably supported in the middle by Tucker who enjoyed a good outing alongside Brendon O'Riordan and stand-in captain Devarr Boyles.

But despite Town's dominance it was the Zebras who scored first against the run of play, Lightbourne beating `keeper Jason Smith after a neat flick by Shawn Russell on the edge of the area in the 36th minute.

Tuzo who equalised moments before the break, redirecting a Boyles miscue inside the area past Dennis Joel in the PHC goal.

Then immediately after the interval Town stung the Zebras with two goals in the space of 10 minutes. They took the lead through Bascome who caught the PHC defence napping with a firm, low right-footed shot from the edge of the six yard box in the 50th minute. Then diminutive midfielder Tucker scored what turned out to be the winner moments later, beating Joel at his near post.

With a two-goal advantage, the Hornets lapsed into complacency, allowing their opponents to come at them. Kenny Mills, on as a 66th minute replacement, immediately served notice of his arrival when he lobbed Smith from 20 yards out on the right to reduce the arrears.

However, Town weren't about to relinquish their lead and closed out just as they'd begun with Paul Cann coming on to maintain the tempo up front and Binns firing two thunderous efforts from all of 30 yards just past the upright.

Dandy Town: J.Smith, R.Swan, P.Douglas, L.Christopher,(P.Cann 71min), S.Tuzo, B.O'Riordan, D.Boyles, R.Bascome, (D.Burchall 80 mins), R.Tucker, D.Simons, D.Binns. Booked: Cann, Boyles, Swan

PHC: D.Joell, J.Sealy, C.Dowling, D.Russell, S.Lewis, C.Furbert, O.Steede, (A.Washington 60th mins), S.Astwood, (K.Mills 67th mins), D.Wilson, S.Russell, (N.Simons 85 mins),R.Lightbourne. Booked: Astwood.

Men of the Match: Reginald Tucker (D.Town); Stanton Lewis (PHC).

Referee: Anthony Mouchette.