After last week’s disappointing defeat to Invicta, Phoenix Lions wanted to bounce back with a better result against Junior Reds Sabres. The reverse fixture earlier in the season had been a 3-3 draw so another entertaining game was in prospect. Marathon Ground was the venue where Phoenix Lions hadn’t played for a while.
Kick Off
After a recent dalliance with 4 at the back, Phoenix reverted to a back 3 with James Ash on the left, Euan Corbett-Smith on the right and Charlie Hanmore in the middle in front of regular keeper Josh Anderson.
In the absence of George Dennington, midfield comprised of Archie Roast on the left, Tom Wray on the right, Ben Chesley in the enforcer role in front of the back 4 and with Jack Whitman at the top of the diamond supporting Henry Powell up front. Oscar Hart and Jai Carter would come off the bench later in the game.
Phoenix started well playing some good football. It was obvious from the size of some of the Junior Reds players that they would be physical but Lions did well to play it round them. A few early chances came and went for Phoenix and Junior Reds were restricted to very little.
Some good play through the middle between Archie, Henry and Jack led to a good chance for Henry who hammered his shot in but saw it well saved by the Sabres keeper. However, he could only parry it out to Archie who had followed up well and slotted home. Sabres 0 Lions 1
Having seen Sabres loft the ball forward several times without much game plan, Lions looked relatively comfortable until Sabres made a couple of substitutions and Phoenix did the same.
The net effect was a complete reverse and the big Sabres number 14 started to cause Phoenix all sorts of problems. His speed and strength were too much for the Lions defence and as Phoenix failed to clear the ball from a cross into the box, he found space to slot home and level the scores. Sabres 1 Lions 1.
Shortly afterwards and as half time approached, the ball was loose near the edge of the Phoenix box and players from both sides went for the ball. Play carried on with a Sabres player on the floor but as he looked injured, the ref stopped the game. Lions assumed it would be a drop ball but the ref had other ideas and awarded a direct free kick. Having been beaten by one the previous week, the Lions didn’t learn their lesson and were powerless as the Sabres player chipped a neat finish up into the top right hand corner. Sabres 2 Lions 1.
Half Time – Junior Reds Sabres 2 Phoenix Lions 1
The first 10 minutes of the second half carried on in the same vain as the end of the first half, Sabres content to clear their lines and constantly knock the ball long, playing very little football. It was the big number 14 again who made it 3-1as he was allowed a clear shot at goal which he took. Sabres 3 Lions 1.
More changes got Phoenix back into the game. They got hold of the ball and the last 20 minutes was an onslaught on the Sabres goal. Jack, Archie, Henry, Euan and Tom all had chances which saw the ball go wide or the keeper save well.
Eventually, Henry Powell – the Lions top scorer – found himself in a great position and volleyed well to give Phoenix a lifeline which they deserved on balance of play. Sabres 3 Lions 2.
The referee signalled time was nearly up and the Lions pushed for an equaliser but were unable to get it and Sabres hung on for the win.
Full Time – Junior Reds Sabres 3 Phoenix Lions 2
An even game where a draw would have been a fair result and in which substitutions appeared to make all the difference. Lions can also count themselves unlucky a few times this season having been on the end of some terrible refereeing decisions – particularly in the last 2 weeks.
3 league games left and Lions will be looking for victory against at least 2 of those lower down in the league.
Come on you Lions!
