Devonshire Cougars 1 PHC 2

Kevin Lambe's strike 20 minutes into the second half proved to be the game winner as PHC grinded out a hard fought win over Devonshire Cougars yesterday at Southampton Oval.

Lambe's goal saw PHC regain the lead after Moses Steede had cancelled out Idrees Sharieff's first half opener.

"The boys have worked hard, this was our first real test this year, they are title contenders so it feels good to get the result," said PHC coach Kyle Lightbourne.

"I feel we bossed the game in the first half before they stepped up their game and created a few chances.

"We were lucky to stay in it for a while, they missed a few gilt-edged opportunities and in the end we came away with the victory.

"It was a hard fought game and we have lost games like this before so it's good to be on the winning side of one."

With Sharieff and fellow youngster Khamisi Lightbourne causing havoc in the attacking third throughout the match, it was no surprise that Sharieff opened the scoring in the 36th minute.

Steven Astwood had created a clear shot for Sharieff who took a touch just outside the 18-yard box before unleashing his effort into the near post.

Zebras were at it again five minutes later with Lightbourne finding himself in space, but had his tame effort on goal was easily collected by keeper Ricardo Brangman.

While the two youngsters were turning on the flair and party tricks in the first half, Cougars did have a chance to level matters just before the half, only for skipper Domico Coddington to just miss a Shaki Pearman cross by inches at the back post.

The lead was short-lived in the second half, however, after Steede planted his 20-yard strike in the bottom far right corner to even the score after being set up by brother Tumani.

And after PHC striker Astwood missed sailed his effort over the bar after flicking neatly over his marker, it was all Cougars, with Zebras keeper Ray Glasford having to be at his best to keep honours even.

Aljame Zuill missed a handful of chances for the visitors, including a one-on-one, and his side were made to pay for their inability to finish when Lambe nodded home a Cofield Robinson cross in the 65th.

Having the bulk of the possession, Cougars were caught not clearing their lines when the ball fell to Robinson who lofted a ball in the box that was met by Lambe at the near post to restore the hosts advantage.

Pearman and Korvon Tucker was industrious down the flanks for Cougars but the side didn't seem to have the final ball that would unlock the back four of PHC, which had the simple task of hitting long balls for their strikers to chase down.

With the win, Zebras are new leaders in the Premier Division, two points clear of champions Dandy Town.

"It is valuable to take your chances in a game of this magnitude, looking back I can count the chances they had and we were fortunate," added Lightbourne.

"They missed the target on numerous occasions and that was their own downfall, but we have to worry about ourselves and today we can be happy we are at the top.

"The win was there for both teams, and we were more clinical."

PHC: R.Glasford, R.Richardson, C.Dowling, J.Ball, C.Robinson, K.Lambe (J.Smith,82), B,Bean, J.Sealy, S.Astwood ( L.Holder,63), K.Lightbourne (A.Grant,72), I.Sharrieff

Yellow cards: S.Astwood,K.Lightbourne

Devonshire Cougars: R.Brangman,J.Butterfield, S.Brangman (T.White,77), K.Tucker, K.Franks, M.Smith (D.Simmons,68), M.Steede, T.Steede, S.Pearman, D.Coddington, A.Zuill

Yelllow cards: J.Butterfield,M.Smith

Referee: A.Francis

Man of the Match: I.Sharrieff