Young Men’s Social Club 1 PHC Zebras 0

Young Men’s Social Club frustrated PHC to pick up their first win of the campaign at Police Field yesterday.

Defending champions PHC started with possession, but failed to retain it under pressure from their hosts, who kept a high line in the early stages and looked dangerous on the counter-attack, with the pace of attackers Malique Wilson and Brighton Swan.

Social Club started to find a measure of control in possession and then turned that into a few half-chances, with skipper Ryan Parris attempting to pull the strings from a deeper position.

The scrappy nature of the game continued throughout the second half, though the hosts had slightly more composure when they attempted to break through into the final third.

The few decisive moments in an otherwise disappointing match came about ten minutes into the second half.

First, Jinairo Johnston played a lovely ball forward for David Jones Jr, who drove into space and fired an effort into the roof of the net past a hapless Quinaceo Hunt from a quick break after regaining possession in midfield.

Zebras attempted to quickly respond and had the best possible opportunity to do so just before the hour mark, as Daren Usher was taken down by goalkeeper Ryan Evans.

Referee Anthony Francis rightly pointed to the spot, but Kadeem Abraham could not capitalise, blazing the spot-kick over the bar, much to the relief of Evans.

PHC tried their hardest to get back into the match in the final half-hour, creating a slew of set pieces, which Evans was equal to with a series of excellent saves to keep them at bay.

Social Club head coach Michael Smith hailed with the progress of his side.

“We are going from strength to strength,” he said. “I really think there are better things to come. This will certainly bring US confidence.”

SCORERS

Young Men’s Social Club: Jones 55

TEAMS

Young Men’s Social Club (4-1-4-1): R Evans 6 – K Smith 5, C Woolridge 6, Kelvon Butterfield 5, J Richardson 5 (sub: M Rudo, 90) – R Parris 6 – M Wilson 5 (sub: G Butterfield, 90), J Johnston 6, D Jones 6, B Swan 5 – R Clacken 5. Substitutes not used: M Williams, Keshun Butterfield. Booked: Evans, Richardson, Parris, Johnston, Kelvon Butterfield

PHC Zebras (4-2-3-1): Q Hunt 5 – D Usher 6, J Bather 5, D Dowling 5, D Smith-Lightbourne 5 – T Showers 5, K Abraham 5 – N Furbert 5, K Bean 5 (sub: C Nisbett, 65 5), J Ebbin 5 (sub: Y Burgess, 65 5) – R Hassell 5 (sub: J Douglas, 65 5). Substitutes not used: S Trott, S Nisbett, R Wilson, M Simmons. Booked: C Nisbett, Burgess.

Referee: A Francis.