PHC Zebras 7 Boulevard Blazers 0

Tre Ming netted a hat-trick inside ten minutes as unbeaten leaders PHC Zebras thrashed Boulevard Blazers yesterday to go five points clear at the top of the Premier Division.

The PHC midfielder opened his account from the penalty spot before adding two more goals in quick succession to complete a fine treble.

Also on target for the rampant Zebras was captain Cecoy Robinson, who netted twice either side of the break, while Rakeem DeShields and Marquel Waldron also got their names on the scoresheet.

PHC did some shooting practice in the lead-up to yesterday’s match, not that they needed to, having scored 24 goals in their previous six league outings.

“We have been working on some finishing and shooting, and today it showed,” Robinson said. “It was just one of those days where we were hitting the back of the net and I’m glad we improved our goal difference as well.”

PHC started the match with a two-point advantage over Robin Hood, but managed to stretch their lead to five after Hood and third-placed Devonshire Cougars both suffered defeats at the weekend.

“It’s good to extend our lead, but there is still a long way to go,” Robinson added.

“There’s still a lot of points out there and so we have to stay focused and keep putting the hard work in.”

Shane Powell, the Boulevard president, made no excuses for his team’s poor display.

“PHC came prepared to play and the better team won today,” he said. “Some of our guys turned off and that’s what happens when people turn off.”

Robinson set the tone for the game after making the early breakthrough. He was played through by Marco Warren’s defence-splitting pass and scored at the near post despite Jahhi Shakir, the Boulevard goalkeeper, getting his fingertips to the ball.

The visiting side came close to grabbing an equaliser against the run of play when Khiry Easton got behind the Zebras defence.

However, the striker’s touch as he rounded goalkeeper Quinaceo Hunt was too heavy and the Zebras defence recovered and clear the threat.

PHC’s relentless pressure at the other end again paid off when central defender DeShields slotted in Robinson’s corner from close range to double the lead.

Poor defending again proved Boulevard’s downfall as an unmarked Waldron got on the end of Robinson’s cross and volleyed past Shakir into the roof of the net from an angle.

Boulevard had the ball in the net in the 38th minute, but a goal was not given after the visiting side were adjudged to have handled in the area.

The Zebras pulled farther away early in the second half when Robinson followed up on Na’eem Griffith’s rebound and steered the ball past a hapless Shakir.

PHC were awarded a penalty after Ming was fouled in the box. After dusting himself down, the Bermuda midfielder slotted into the bottom left corner to make it 5-0.

Ming grabbed a second three minutes later, when he tapped in Keishun Bean’s corner and completed his treble and his team’s emphatic victory with another effort from close range.

GOALS

PHC Zebras

Robinson 2, 52, DeShields 24, Waldron 31, Ming 53 (pen), 56, 63

TEAMS

PHC Zebras: Q Hunt — D Lightbourne, R DeShields, N Griffith, D Usher, M Waldron, K Bean, T Ming (sub: M Dill, 68min), M Warren, K Matthie (sub: C Castle, 64), C Robinson (sub: D Albouy, 57). Substitutes not used: S Trott, M Lambe, K Abraham, J Iris

Boulevard: J Shakir — Z Stovell, J Williams, K Smith, A Famous (sub: T Butterfeld, 70), J Samuels, D Taylor, K Davis, N Smith, R Tyrell (sub: S Fostin, 65), K Easton (sub: T Douglas, 50). Substitutes not used: T Stovell, A Foggo, Y Darrell. Booked: Shakir, N Smith, Douglas.

Referee: L Raynor.