PHC Zebras 1 Somerset Trojans 0

Cecoy Robinson’s first-half strike handed PHC Zebras victory over Somerset Trojans at PHC Field yesterday to ensure that they remain top of the Premier Division.

PHC, still undefeated in the league, needed to beat Trojans to regain top spot after second-placed Robin Hood’s 5-0 thrashing of Flanagan’s Onions the previous evening.

Zebras did enough against Trojans with Robinson’s low, driven effort in the 38th minute proving the difference between the two sides — although the PHC could have won by a far greater margin had it not been for some lacklustre finishing.

Scott Morton’s side were in firm control for the majority of the encounter and should have been leading long before their captain’s opener after a well-worked passing move on the edge of the box.

Idrees Sharrieff twice missed good openings, forcing a save from Shaquille Bean, the Trojans goalkeeper, before opting for power over precision, blazing a shot over the crossbar when well set.

Another chance went begging when the lively Mazhye Burchall latched onto a pass from fellow teenager Keishon Bean on the opposite flank before lifting the ball over the outrushing Bean and onto the bar.

After the break Trojans at least started to show more attacking intent, although it was PHC who were still carving out the superior chances with Sharrieff again the guilty party after firing straight at Bean.

Another chance went begging for the home side when Tristan Hall, Sharrieff’s strike partner, failed to get any power into his shot which was routinely saved by the Trojans goalkeeper.

PHC did have the ball in the back of the net midway through the second half when Hall squared for Bean who tapped home from close range but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Despite their slender lead, PHC never appeared to be in danger with Trojans rarely threatening although Morton admits he was disappointed his side failed to convert their chances.

“I thought the players responded well to the game plan and it was just the finishing part that let us down,” Morton said.

“We had plenty of chances and we need to be better at finishing. As we all know, 1-0 is not the lead you want to be resting on, especially with the chances we had.

“The opponents feel they’re only one goal down whereas they should be three or four goals down — that gives them more belief when they should have had the stuff knocked right out of them. I was pleased with all of the parts of our performance except the final third.”

Morton added: “We understand what’s at stake but at the same time we’re in control of our destiny.”

SCORER

PHC Zebras

Robinson 38

TEAMS

PHC Zebras (4-4-2): S Dill — D Usher, N Griffith, K Griffith, J Ball — M Waldron, C Robinson, M Burchall (sub: K Matthie, 78min), K Bean — I Sharrieff (sub

K Abraham, 82min, T Hall. Substitutes not used: S Trott, D Andre Smith-Lightbourne, M Lambe, D Davis.

Somerset Trojans (4-4-2): S Bean — D Lister, T Ming, D Swan, R Cann — J Corday, L Burgess, K Wilson (A Seaman, 75), V Perinchief — T Wade, A Trott. Substitutes not used:

S Brangman, J Ratteray-Smith, H Butterfield, M Jones, D Seymour Jr. Booked: Burgess, Seaman.

Referee: A Bailey.