PHC 1 Somerset Trojans 2

Somerset moved triumphantly into the semi-finals of the Dudley Eve Trophy when coming from behind to beat PHC at Devonshire Rec.

The youthful Trojans showed talent, energy and a great degree of fight in the closing moments when the more experienced PHC team launched a desperate push for an equaliser but found the defending champions unwilling to surrender their crown.

“Obviously I’m happy and really proud of the young group as they’re growing up week by week,” said coach Jensen Rogers at the end of a stress-filled last few minutes.

“They’re coming to an understanding that they can compete and are putting forth the effort combined with belief.

“Tonight was a big step for a very young squad that’s willing to learn,to fight and compete.”

After Somerset’s Jaden Ratteray-Smith had squandered an early chance, PHC took the lead in the eigthh minute through striker Ryan Hassell, who made a powerful run up the middle of the pitch, holding off defenders and slotting the ball past Yizharyah Williams in goal.

The lead would not last long as Jiriko Powell notched a 26th minute equaliser after he was found in space inside the penalty area by Paris Robinson and neatly sidefooted home past Williams.

The match see-sawed back and forth after the break and appeared destined for extra time when PHC goalkeeper Quinaceo Hunt blundered badly, allowing an innocuous free-kick from distance by Ratteray-Smith to slip through his hands.

SCORERS:

PHC: Ryan Hassell 8

Somerset: Powell 26, Hunt (og) 84

PHC (4-3-3): Q Hunt -- D Dowling 6, D Lodge 5, D Smith-Lightbourne 6, K Abraham 6 -- K Bean 6 (sub: C Nesbitt, 78), T Showers 5, R Hassell 6, -- J Ebbin 7, M Simmons 6, S Nesbitt 6 (sub: R Dowling, 62 5) Substitutes not used: S Trott, J Iris, R Wilson, Y Burgess.

Somerset (4-3-2-1): Y Williams 6 -- J Butterfield 6, M Tankard 6, Jadan Rattery Smith7, Jaz Ratteray-Smith 7 - J Powell 6, M Tear-DeLeon 6, P Robinson 7 - M Eve 6, K McNeil 7 (sub: J Simmons, 60min 5) - J Shields (sub: R Russell, 46 6). Substitutes not used: K Coddington, J Furbert, O Moore, D Bean, J Greaves. Booked: Butterfied, Tear.

Referee: T Adams