Somerset Trojans methodically threw PHC out of gear with a late burst of clinical soccer that produced two goals to carry them to this stunning victory at PHC Stadium last night.

The player delivering the blows to the home team was midfielder Reggie Tucker, the first goal coming after 74 minutes and the second two minutes from time.

The west-enders were 1-0 winners over PHC in the Martonmere Cup final last month but the home team never looked like they would throw this game away.

PHC have themselves to blame for not putting the game out of reach because they had enough chances to floor the Trojans during the first 45 minutes of play.

PHC's challenge was smashed by Tucker though he just managed to force the ball over the line after centre-half Trevor Dickinson headed down a Jerry Webb corner. Then the diminutive player delivered the knockout blow by scoring from close in after a corner by substitute Kenny Thompson, who is back from school in the US on Christmas break.

PHC came close early when Sammy Swan scraped a shot off the bar after eight minutes and forced goalkeeper Winslow Williams to dive to collect a header four minutes later.

Kenny Mills had a shot blocked by Williams after 23 minutes and the 'keeper then followed this up by diving full length to punch a shot by Otis Steede for a corner.

The Trojans managed a few isolated raids with Webb and striker Dwight Basden prominent. But all the attack managed was a single effort by Rodney Bascome after 18 minutes that sailed wide of goal.

Shawn Simons and Frankie Ming cracked early shots over in the second half as PHC continued to hold an edge, but the Trojans came into the game slowly after the introduction of Thompson with the game 55 minutes old.

With skipper Mike Dill and young Dano Outerbridge solid in the PHC defence the Trojans had their work cut out. But their determination began to pay off as Basden lifted his game and helped to create openings.

Dill was in position to clear off the line after Dickinson spearheaded an attack with 60 minutes gone, then Basden himself thundered a ball past the post a minute later. But in a quick counter, Steede powered a 17-yarder inches over for PHC.

With the game coming alive at last Tucker struck much to the relief of his many fans, but it was not over. Four minutes later Thompson was through on a breakaway but his shot was blocked by the advancing Ty Williams, then the rebound was hit over by Webb.

Skipper Brian Simons had his 25-yard blast saved by Ty Williams, Steede then had his 16-yarder saved by the Somerset 'keeper in a counter-attack. Basden followed this up for Somerset by striking a shot inches wide as the tempo increased.

The game was put out of reach with Tucker's second goal.

PHC: T.Williams; N.Simons, D.Outerbridge, M.Dill, R.Lewis; O.Steede, F.Ming, S.Ming; K.Mills, S.Swan, S.Simons (W.Trott, 63 mins).

Somerset: W.Williams; B.Simons, P.Place, T.Dickinson, L.Simmons; R.Simmons, R.Tucker, S.Morrisey; R.Bascome (K.Thompson, 55 mins), D.Basden (A.Thomas, 87 mins), J.Webb.

Referee: Esten Curtis.

Men of the match: Dano Outerbridge (PHC); Reggie Tucker (Somerset).

Somerset soundly defeated Boulevard 7-1 in an earlier Premier Division game.

Kwame Tucker led Somerset's attack with four goals while Marco Butterfield scored twice and Lamaul Crofton once. Perry Puckerin scored the lone goal for Boulevard.