 Picture Courtesy of PHC IslandStats.com  Boulevard Blazers 3 PHC Zebras 4 - After Extra Time
The PHC Zebras pulled off a remarkable "great escape" at the Devonshire Recreation Club tonight, surviving a late onslaught and twice coming from the brink of defeat to edge the Boulevard Blazers in a classic FA Challenge Cup quarter-final. In a match that will surely go down as one of the most dramatic in the competition's history, the Zebras secured a 4–3 victory after a chaotic period of stoppage time and an equally frantic extra-time session.
The contest began with the Boulevard Blazers looking determined to overturn their poor recent form against the Zebras. Their pressure was rewarded in the 24th minute when Khya Blyden found an opening to slot home, giving the Blazers a deserved lead. The underdogs maintained their discipline throughout the first half, frustrating the Zebras' attacking line and taking their 1–0 advantage into the interval.
The second half was a war of attrition, and as the clock ticked past the 90th minute, it appeared the Blazers had done enough to secure a famous upset. However, the drama was only just beginning. Four minutes into stoppage time, Enrique Russell pounced to equalise for the PHC Zebras, seemingly rescuing the tie.
Yet, the Blazers responded instantly. In the 6th minute of stoppage time they were awarded a penalty which Ijahmon Mallory converted with cool precision to restore their lead. Incredibly, the Zebras refused to be beaten. Five minutes later, in the 101st minute of play, Jaylon Bather found the back of the net to make it 2–2 and finally send the match into an additional thirty minutes.
The scoring frenzy continued into extra time. Haile Eve gave the Zebras their first lead of the night in the 97th minute, but that joy was short-lived as Teiko Lowe levelled for the Blazers just three minutes later. With the match poised at 3–3 and penalties looming, it was Bather who emerged as the hero once again.
In the 117th minute, he struck his second of the night to make it 4–3, finally breaking the Blazers' resistance and booking the Zebras' place in the semi-finals.
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