PHC and North Village scored a goal apiece in the second half of Saturday’s Premier Division contest, as both teams had to settle with a share of the spoils at PHC Stadium.

Defender Rakeem Deshields popped up in the 75th minute to equalise for the hosts who had gone down to a Justin Bell goal earlier in the half.

It is a result that will leave both teams a bit disappointed, with PHC chasing league leaders Dandy Town and North Village looking to move further away from the relegation positions.

However, Village coach, Kenny Thompson was happy to accept a better performance from his troops after suffering back-to-back defeats in their last two outings.

“The difference for us today was in our approach,” said Thompson.

“We had the week off after our two recent losses and the theme during that time, was for us to focus on improving our effort. Our mindset was a lot better today and even though we are disappointed not to have protected the lead, we can walk away from this match with a positive platform to build from.

The opening minutes of the match were a bit unsettled but PHC did manage to carve out the first chances, but a tame header from Marco Warren and a shot into the side netting from Enrique Russell kept the score line even.

Village were forced into two subs midway through the half as defender Marcus Brangman and Tahmi Williams were replaced with both limping off with injuries.

The unplanned changes seemed to have a positive effect on the visitors, as they took control of the match immediately afterwards.

A shot from Justin Bell on the half-hour mark wrong-footed goalkeeper, Shaquille Trott, who eventually recovered to make the save.

Moments later, Bell’s low cross from the left found Jaizel Smith-Deshields, whose slight touch skimmed the outside of the far post.

In the 40th minute Rai Simmons did well to hold off his defender after receiving a pass deep inside the box, but his shot was well saved by Omari Deshields, who was sharp off his line to cut the angle.

PHC made a couple of adjustments at half-time and looked a lot more cohesive unit in their play.

However, it was Village who would come up with the opener, after being awarded a penalty, when Smith-Deshields was chopped down by keeper Trott, after being played through by Demetre Daniels.

Bell stepped up to take the ensuing penalty and was able to finish off the rebound after Trott saved the initial spot kick.

The goal induced a bit of complacency from the visitors and PHC were happy to capitalise on that when Deshields put the finishing touches to a cross that was not effectively cleared.

At this point Village were visibly tiring as the Zebras went in search for a winner.

Warren’s volley from an angle went just wide of the post in the 85th minute and then Village keeper Deshields came up big in the dying minutes, diving to his right to save Antwan Russell’s goal-bound header as well as the draw for his team.

SCORERS

PHC: Deshield 72

NVCC: Bell 58

TEAMS

PHC (4-2-3-1): Shaquille Trott 6 ‒ K Abraham 5, M Lambe 5, E King-Mills 5, C Castle 5 (sub: Shakhai Trott 78 min) ‒ T Ming 5, R Deshield 7 ‒ M Warren 7, K Bean 5 (sub: A Russell 61 6), D Usher 5 ‒ E Russell 5 Booked: Deshield, Castle, Shaquille Trott Substitutes not used: D Smith-Lightbourne, I Taylor, K Hypolite, O Tucker, J Eve

NVCC (4-3-3): O Deshields 6 ‒ Q Lema 5, M Brangman (sub K Knights 24 5), T Fray 5, J Harvey 6 ‒ I Simmons 5, T Williams (sub: V Perenchief 22 5), D Daniels 7 ‒ J Smith-Deshields 5, J Bell 6 (sub: O Bothelo 83), R Simmons 5 (sub: P Smith 83) Substitutes not used: T Brown, W Shakir, M Caldwell Booked: Perenchief, I Simmons

Referee: D Jackson