PHC Zebras 4 X-Roads Warriors 2

PHC Zebras maintained their position at the top of Premier Division with a comfortable victory, over top-flight newcomers, X-Roads Warriors. The scoreline was slightly flattering to the visiting side, whose late goals were no more than consolation in a game that the home side were always in control of. They also gave Zebras coach Scott Morton an indication of some potential deficiencies.

“I felt that we played well and dominated the game, but I am a little disappointed that we did not keep the clean sheet”, Morton said. “Both goals came from deep crosses that we did not deal with well, and we will definitely be looking to clean that up going forward.”

PHC dominated possession from the outset, as X-Roads were content to set a deep defensive line in an attempt to frustrate their opponents. The game plan seemed to be working well until the 30th minute when PHC scored three times in quick succession. Dante Albuoy finished neatly after a one-two at the edge of the box left him with just the goalkeeper to beat from about 12 yards.

Moments later, mercurial midfielder Marco Warren found himself in a similar situation after combining with Cecoy Robinson. The outcome was the same as he calmly slotted the ball under the onrushing keeper.

X-Roads, who had been quite resolute up until now, seemed to be unravelling under the pressure. Orlin Williams, the left back, lost his bearings when he attempted to pick up a ball that was still in play, thinking that it had run out of bounds. Warren glanced the resulting free kick on to Albuoy, who made no mistake from close range to double his tally and take his team into the interval three goals to the good.

Any thoughts of a second-half comeback were erased in the 55th minute when Caisey Castle turned sharply on the edge of the box and struck a fierce drive that the goalkeeper could only watch as it fizzed cross him and into the net.

The game was now over as a contest but the visiting side continued to push and were rewarded for their persistence with two late goals. The first was nodded home by Tymon Daniels after Jamin Furbet headed a deep cross back to the centre of the goal.

Moments later, Daniels was sent off for a second yellow card when he kicked out in frustration after being fouled on the right flank. The ensuing free-kick was curled in directly off the boot of substitute Rico Beek.

SCORERS

PHC D Albuoy 31, 35, M Warren 32, C Castle 52

X-Roads

T Daniels 89, R Beek 90

TEAMS

PHC: S Trott, D Davis, N Griffith, R Deshields, D Lightbourne, M Waldron, C Castle (sub: L Miller, 60min), M Warren (sub: J Iris, 60), K Bean, C Robinson, D Albuoy (sub: K Hypolite, 46).

Substitutes not used: Q Hunt, D Usher, S Valasse-Paul, J Warren-Smith. Booked: Deshields, Lightbourne.

X-Roads: J Burrows, J Furbert, K Wilkinson, A Burgess, O Williams, P Parsons, T Daniels, K Davis-Jones (sub: M McGown, 75), K Brangman, D Baker (sub: R Beek 45), A Heylinger (sub: J Sanchez, 60).

Substitutes not used: K Godfrey, N Johnston, D Cooper, T Lowe. Booked: Daniels. Sent off: Daniels.

Referee: G Swainson