North Village's Kevin Jennings proved he was a cut above the rest yesterday, almost single-handedly destroying championship challengers PHC at Somerset.

The attacking flankman, and his Red Devil team-mates, had tormented the Zebras for the first half-hour without actually hurting them.

And matters looked like they had taken a turn for the worse when Jennings was forced to leave the pitch with a nasty gash above his eye.

But whereas a smack on the head is said to knock sense into some people, in the Village man's case the effect went straight to his feet.

Within three minutes of coming back on, Jennings, sporting a thick head bandage, broke the deadlock.

A quick break saw Quincy Paynter unselfishly square in the box and the man-of-the-match coolly slipped the ball under the advancing Carlyle Crockwell.

That was on the stroke of half-time and 10 minutes into the second half `Bandage Man', as the crowd affectionately nicknamed him, was in the thick of the action again.

Teasing defenders this way and that wide on the left, Jennings made the byline and, looking up, fired a cross-cum-shot from the most acute of angles which referee Stuart Crockwell adjudged struck defender Roderick Lewis before going over the line.

The scoreline didn't flatter the league leaders, who now open up a four point gap at the top. In fact, they should have had scored more, such was their domination.

Coach, Scott Morton, had clearly done his homework, stifling the PHC threat by closing down their attackers as soon as they got the ball.

In possession, Village attacked in numbers -- their pacy frontmen opening up the Zebras backline almost at will.

With the wind at their backs, the Red Devils pinned their opponents in their own half for much of the first period.

Kofi Dill should have done better than to sky the ball over the bar from three yards out in the fourth minute and that set the tone for a host of opportunities the leaders fashioned.

Michael Hansey saw his shot cleared off the line after a corner and Dwight Warren's effort suffered an identical fate.

It took PHC until the 38th minute to create a chance of note.

Noel Hayward set Chris Furbert free down the right and he sent in a perfect cross for Michael Lambe. But instead of using power and direction, Lambe allowed the ball to simply glance his head and it drifted wide.

Jennings, who was number seven on the teamsheet, 11 until his accident and 16 afterwards, exacted supreme punishment for that miss on half-time.

PHC came into the game in the first few minutes of the second period as the elements came to their aid.

But their torment was about to begin anew when Jennings created the second score for Village.

PHC dangerman Stephen Astwood, well shackled all afternoon, did get a shot off in the 60th minute but it went over and then play was held up shortly after when Village's David Thomas collided with an opponent.

He had to be stretchered off and was later taken to hospital complaining he had difficulty breathing after a blow to the ribs.

Jennings had a shot cleared off the line in the 72nd minute, then namesake Keith fired an opportunistic drive wide and Warren was close with a lob.

A minute later, goal hero Jennings took his bow and left the field to loud applause leaving his team-mates time for one more attempt on goal.

Hansey crossed low and Sergio Goater, sliding in at the far post, just failed to connect.

PHC: C.Crockwell; S.Lewis; R.Lewis; N.Hayward; A.Washington; C.Furbert; O.Steede (Julian Casey, 85 mins); D.Wilson; M.Lambe (David Hunt, 60 mins); S.Astwood; M.Smith.

North Village: Z.Hendrickson; K.Dill; R.Spence; Kentoine Jennings; D.Thomas (Keith Jennings, 65 mins); J.Boyles; Kevin Jennings (Donald Whitfield, 85 mins); M.Hansey; Q.Paynter; D.Warren; S.Goater.

Men of the match: Kevin Jennings (Village); C.Crockwell (PHC).

Yellow cards: M.Lambe (PHC).

Referee: Stuart Crockwell.

Zebras floored: PHC's Dano Outerbridge tries desperately to clear the danger as North Village's Quincy Paynter (left) prepares to pounce during yesterday's top of the table clash at Somerset. Village won the match 2-0.