After last weekend’s torrential rain causing all games in the league to be cancelled, the Lions were keen to get back on the pitch and extend their 7 game winning run. So keen in fact that despite further rain on the Saturday morning causing many teams to cancel training sessions at Hall Place, Jason and Martin pressed ahead with training and the boys responded with another very good session. Good preparation for an important league game against Cray Wanderers Sharks.
A full strength Phoenix Lions side turned up on Sunday morning for a very early kick off time of 9.30 am. It was Remembrance Sunday and all players, managers and parents stood quiet ahead of kick off for a well respected minutes silence. The boys showing a unified front by observing the silence facing their opposition whilst linking arms - a nice touch. Would the Lions give us a game to remember on Remembrance Sunday.
On paper, judging by the results of both teams this season, this was a game that the Lions should win but as we all know football never works out that way. Manager Jason was well aware of this and in his team talk advised the boys to play the game with the same passion that they had played all other games this season to ensure there was no complacency.
The match started with the Lions kicking down the notorious Phoenix slope hoping to take full advantage of the opportunity that it presented. It was a slow start from both teams but with Cray Wanderers probably having the better of the early chances. Nervy moments for the parents on the sidelines, was this to be the dreaded banana skin match ? Our concerns were quickly allayed when James made one of his trademark mazy runs on the left hand side and crossed the ball deep into the Cray Wanderers box where Archie was waiting unmarked to volley the ball over the keeper and into the net. 1 -0.
It was interesting to see the difference in the two teams approach to the game with Josh always looking to roll the ball out to his defenders feet for Phoenix to play a passing game as per Jason and Martins coaching whereas Cray Wanderers were trying to capitalise on their goalkeeper’s very long kick and playing a more direct game. Both methods almost paid dividends for both sides with Phoenix passing the ball out from defence through Jai, Jack, James and then Archie whose shot just missed the Cray Wanderers goal and then a long kick from the Cray Wanderers goalkeeper won a corner that they narrowly missed converting with a close range header. Soon after Phoenix extended their lead with Ben taking the ball from Josh and then putting Archie through down the right hand side, Archie then taking the ball on and hitting a shot into the top left corner which the goalkeeper got his hands to but was unable to prevent the ball hitting the net. 2-0
Half Time - Phoenix Lions 2 Cray Wanderers Sharks 0
Phoenix now had to play up the slope in the second half. Had they done enough in the first half ? Would the Cray Wanderers keeper’s enormous goal kicks cause havoc for the Phoenix defence down the slope in the second half ?
We didn’t have to wait too long to find out. A good throw in down the left hand side came to George in the box who squared for Henry to slot in at the far post. You just can’t keep that boy off the scoresheet. 3-0
Phoenix then piled on the pressure in their usual way with a Henry turn & shot narrowly missing the Cray Wanderers goal followed by good passing between Jack and Tom up the left leading to the ball hitting the post.
Tom was then rewarded for his consistent midfield play with a run from the halfway line past so many Cray players I lost count followed by a shot which was parried by the goalkeeper straight back to Tom who calmly netted from close range. 4-0
Cray Wanderers did play their part in the game to their credit but all attempts were expertly dealt with by the defensive combination of Charlie (including one off the line), Ben, Jai & James along with goalkeeper Josh.
A fantastic day was rounded off with another James run down the left hand side and a cross into the penalty area which caused problems for the Cray Wanderers defence with the ball eventually finding its way to George in the box who flicked the ball from close range into the corner, his 3rd in the last two games. 5-0
Full Time – Phoenix Lions 5 Cray Wanderers Sharks 0
A win that cements the Lion’s place at the top of a very tight Selkent League C East with just 3 games remaining.
That’s 7 wins in the last 7 games in all competitions – Well done boys !!
Next week we have a break from the league with our League Cup second round matches against Parkwood Rockets and Ebbsfleet Red. The Lions will have to be on top form against these two B league opponents (possibly an idea of whats ahead next season?).
Come on you Lions !!
(Report courtesy of Noel Chesley)
