PHC Zebras 4 Warwick Archers 2

Kynde Mallory ran the show to lead PHC Zebras to the inaugural Charles Marshall Junior Cup title at the National Stadium yesterday.

Zebras dominated the early exchanges, pressing high and winning the ball in dangerous positions. Mallory opened the scoring just three minutes in, tucking home after a lovely through ball by Joshua Joseph.

Less than five minutes later, the striker doubled the lead with his second of the match, tapping home from yet another sweeping move, during which all players in the midfield touched the ball at least once.

That dominance continued as Zebras further extended their lead. Tyler Welsh took advantage of poor defending from a corner to tap in from close range.

It became 4-0 in the opening 20 minutes when Zaire Weller curled in an inch-perfect free-kick from twenty-five yards out.

Zebras were happy to knock the ball around to kill off the final few minutes of the first half, but Warwick Archers tried to press them higher up the pitch knowing they had to score to stand any chance of a comeback.

Gabriel Todd was booked just before the interval for a heavy challenge on Zakiyah Lee.

Archers reduced the deficit just before half-time, when McDowall slid home after PHC goalkeeper Jerez Eve failed to keep out a free-kick that was driven in by Najee Edwards.

Archers came out after the restart with a renewed energy, and dominated possession for large parts in the opening minutes of the second stanza.

Less than ten minutes into the period, Archers won a penalty. Eve clattered into Ajani Lee, and was sent off for the challenge. McDowall stepped up and slotted home the spot-kick.

Zakiyah Lee had to be sacrificed so the Zebras could bring on substitute goalkeeper Coleridge Fubler.

By this stage, Warwick were dominating possession and creating several chances.

McDowall, substitute Jonathan Brangman, and Lee were all on the end of clear chances as Zebras sat back and allowed them to take the initiative.

Just before the end, Warwick goalkeeper Joshua Roberts was also sent off for clattering into Jaden King, after the midfielder was played through on goal by Shane Robinson.

Zebras played out the remaining minutes to seal victory.

“They executed the plan,” PHC head coach Michael Trott said.

“They dominated the first half, and then defended very well in the second.”

TEAMS

PHC (4-2-3-1): J Eve – J Joseph, Z Lee, E Shakir, S Samuels – Z Weller, M Wilson – J Lines, J Joseph, T Welsh – K Mallory

Substitutes: C Fubler, D Correia, J King, M Basden, S Robinson; Sent off: Eve

Warwick Archers (4-3-3): J Roberts – A Trott, C Robinson, T Charves, S Smith – J Simmons, A Lee, N Outerbridge – N Edwards, A Simons, C McDowall

Substitutes: A Rymon-Lipinski, D Ossett, A Burgess, J Brangman, J Berkeley, A Mussenden, G Todd; Booked: McDowall, Todd; Sent off: Roberts

Referee: L Christopher/T Simons

SCORERS

PHC Zebras

Mallory 3, 6, Welsh 13, Weller 17

Warwick Archers

McDowall 40, 52