PHC 1

Boulevard 0

Tabletoppers PHC hung on to a hard fought victory over a bellicose Boulevard who missed a hatful of chances at heavily policed Southampton Oval.

In a match littered with goalscoring opportunities it was somewhat ironic the deciding blow came from the penalty-spot, courtesy of Omar Shakir.

The victory consolidates Zebras two-point lead ahead of North Village with five games remaining in the Premier Division calendar.

Police were out in full force at the Oval amid rumours of gang-related violence and it was fitting that both teams lined up alongside each other before kick-off in a symbol of solidarity against anti-social behaviour.

They also held a minute's silence for 15-year-old Dakarai Tucker who tragically died last week from a brain aneurysm. The gifted youngster had represented PHC Raiders and the Under 17 national team.

Zebras took the lead as early as the fourth minute with Shakir converting a penalty after a rash challenge by Blazers keeper Randy Broadbent on Keston Lewis. Despite the early blow Blazers responded with bags of dogged spirit and created a trio of chances against the league's best back-line.

Striker Lamaul Crofton was guilty of missing two one-on-ones with keeper Jason Smith, who also denied Aaron Williams' weak shot to preserve the host's slender lead at the break.

Early on in the second-period Blazers coach John Rebollo introduced the raw but always menacing Angelo Simmons, who's pace and energy gave the visitors another attacking threat.

Casey Castle struck the post for PHC, while Boulevard continued to probe but could not find the finishing touch their play deserved.

Despite suffering defeat, coach John Rebello must have been proud with his team's response to their lacklustre display against Devonshire Colts in the last weekend's Friendship.

Zebras coach Kyle Lightbourne admitted Boulevard had been the better side but was pleased with the way his players "dug in" to claim the important victory.

"We looked a bit scrappy and didn't play well and I thought Boulevard were the better team," he said.

"They had some good chances but to be fair we dug in and made sure we protected our lead.

"When you're at the top sometimes games can go your way and we knew it was an important one with Rams and Cougars breathing down our necks."

PHC: J.Smith M.Waldron, O.Shakir, K.Richards, C.Dowling (R.Lightbourne 46), B.Bean, K.Lewis, C.Furbert, D.Russell (C.Castle 81), J.Ball, C.Robsinson (J.AlmeIda 60)

Boulevard: R.Broadbent, Jahmah Samuels, Jahmani Samuels (A.Simmons 53), Jahmallory Samuels (Jahmal Samuels 53), J.Payne, M.Gibbons, A.Williams, C.Trott, C.Simmons, L.Crofton (W.Place 73), T.Walker

Referee: Jenny Villamarin

Yellow Cards: Cannero Trott (Boulevard), Chae Simmons (Boulevard), Dennis Russell (PHC)

Man-of-the-Match: C.Furbert (PHC)