Phoenix Lions travelled to Gravesend this week to play Invicta Lions for the first time. Invicta had a similar record to the Lions in the league with 4 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws so it looked like being a fairly close game. Lions were looking to bounce back from the disappointment of the previous week.
Kick Off
Lions started well and had a lot of the ball early on. The long grass wasn’t helping though as any time a Phoenix player wanted to run with the ball, they were held up. After forcing all the early play, Phoenix fell behind – a worrying formula in recent weeks - and it was a poorly defended set piece yet again. An inswinging corner came in, Lions tried and failed to clear – despite some excellent goal line clearances from Euan Corbett-Smith – and Invicta struck through to take the lead. 0-1
The Invicta numbers 9 and 10 playing in midfield and attack were looking good and had their tails up. But Phoenix got themselves back in the game not long after going behind. Charlie Hanmore brought the ball out in his usual manner and skipped past two Invicta players before looking up to play a raking pass through to Jack Whitman who was clean through on goal. Jack rounded the keeper and shot towards goal. It looked as though it would get stuck in the grass but there was enough to carry it in and Phoenix were level 1-1.
The game was very close but Invicta were a bit sharper to the ball and at times over zealous in their tackles. Charlie Hanmore was badly caught on his ankle and then James Ash was subject to a studs up challenge which went unpunished by the ref but when he then went to win the ball back, a foul was given against him!
In the next Invicta attack, a lofted ball was handled on the edge of the box by Jai Carter. As the Invicta no. 10 lined up the free kick, Phoenix were slow to organise the wall and with a big goal, there was acres of space to aim at. Sure enough he picked his spot in the top right hand corner and Phoenix were behind again. 1-2.
Invicta didn’t reckon on Archie Roast though and he had started to come into the game more and more using his skill to find space and create chances. After seeing some of his team mates miss chances, he decided to take matters into his own hands. Taking the ball past 2 defenders and finishing with amplomb into the Invicta net. 2-2.
Half Time – Invicta Lions 2 Phoenix Lions 2
Having given their half time team talk, the management team of Jason Ash and Martyn Whitman will have wanted Phoenix to press on second half and use the slope to their advantage. Instead, they went behind early in the second half to an almost replica goal of the first. Poorly defended corner, no Phoenix players attacked the ball and Invicta were back in front. 2-3.
Phoenix were struggling to find space and Invicta were the hungrier team. However, the Lions did manage to fashion some good chances but the finishing was poor. Once again, Phoenix were up against a team who were better organised and hungrier.
As the game went into the final 10 minutes, defensive stalwarts Charlie Hanmore and Euan Corbett-Smith were substituted and Phoenix tried to re-organise. However, they failed to do so and seemed to completely lose their shape.
They were undone twice in quick succession and the scoreline was now becoming all too familiar. 2-3 quickly became 2-5 – the same scoreline as the previous week.
Full Time – Invicta Lions 5 Phoenix Lions 2
Another disappointing result and second half performance from the Lions who still appear to be on their festive break.
Their own defensive mistakes costing them dear again. They need to try and find a way to battle for some kind of win to stop the rot and get their confidence back.
One more league game next weekend before the League Cup Quarter Final against AFC All Stars.
Come on you Lions!
