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BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Two-goal Russell fires Zebras into top spot

Fabian Frankson (left) is closed down North Village's Jason Davis during a Premier Division game at St John's Field yesterday. Hornets won 3-2.

Antwan Russell produced an awesome display of attacking football yesterday as ten-men PHC thrashed St George's 6-2 at Southampton Oval to go top of the table.Russell spearheaded the win in the final ten minutes, scoring twice and setting up Marco Piper and Lonnie Bascome, who netted twice as well.Aquino Grant also struck for PHC while Jahron Dickinson and Allan Douglas jr found the net for the visitors.PHC were reduced to ten men in the 65th minute when Mikey Lambe was sent off after receiving two yellow cards.“My goals were important but in the end the win is what matters,” said Russell. “The game showed our character, we are a young team that can compete with any team in Bermuda, we just need to remain calm during key moments of a match and keep our heads.”The match started well for St George's, who took the lead through Dickinson in the 10th minute after a mix-up between the Zebras defence and the goalkeeper allowed the pacy winger in on goal.But the Zebras were back on level terms after 13 minutes when Bascome grabbed his first goal.And before Colts could bounce back they found themselves behind just three minutes later when Grant took advantage of defensive confusion to neatly slot the ball past ‘keeper Eunico Trott.With the match in the balance and both sides attacking, it was Douglas who levelled matters in the 50th minute to set up what might have been a nailbiting finish.However, the telling blow of the match was the sending off of Lambe which kicked his team-mates into high gear as they went on a rampage for the remaining 25 minutes.First, Russell's free kick in the 80th took a deflection off a St George's defender and found the net and he added a second four minutes later.Put through behind the Colts defence, Russell rounded Trott to tap in to make it 4-2 to take the steam out of their opponents.The Bermuda international than turned provider when he was put through again but instead of heading for goal he slowed up play and found Piper with a pinpoint cross at the back post to make the points safe.For good measure the striker beat the offside trap once more and found Bascome lurking in the area for the easiest of finishes in the 89th minute to complete the demolition.Delighted with the result, Russell admitted the scoreline flattered his team and tipped his hat to the East Enders who showed a never-say-die attitude.“The score may deceive a little bit because they came out with hunger and commitment to getting a result and it made us play.“They didn't allow us time on the ball and it was evident on the play of the game. We were made to play today.“Going down a man, every person in the world knows that the players that are left on the pitch have to go the extra mile to get the result you want and that's what we did.”PHC: T Place,C Robinson, M Lambe, T Brown(T Ming,50), J Ball, R Richardson, J Sealy, L Bascome, C Robinson(S Smith,65), A Grant(M Piper,80), A RussellSubs not used:. J Dean, K Lambe, J SwanGoals: Bascome,23,89, Grant,26, Russell 80,84, Cofield Robinson,86Sent off: M LambeSt George's: E Trott, C Simmons, E Signor, D Signor, C Durham(R Todd,80), J Hayward, A Douglas, A Cannonier(S Robinson,75), J Bassett, K Smith(C Darrell,54)Subs not used: G Wade, J DarrellGoals: Dickinson,10, Douglas,50Referee: R CannMan of the Match: A RussellRobin Hood 1 Somerset Trojans 2Somerset Trojans leapfrogged Robin Hood in the standings with a crucial away win on Saturday night at BAA Field.Heading into the match one point behind the hosts, Somerset had to come from behind to get the victory.Hood took the lead in the third minute through striker Dante Albuoy only to be pegged back by a Tahj Wade goal six minutes later.The match was settled in the 12th minute when Hood defender Damali Bell put the ball into his own net.With the win, Trojans sit on 12 points, two points clear of Hood and only four points behind defending champions North Village.