On a breezy Sunday morning, the Lions were in London Cup First Round action. The opponents were Long Lane Tigers who after struggling to field a team for their first two league games, were playing their first match of the season.
Kick Off
As soon as the match was underway, Phoenix were making all the play. Some excellent combinations and link play right from the back bought early chances for Archie Roast and Henry Powell.
Despite being on top, it wasn't until the 10th minute that a breakthrough was made. Some excellent wing play from James Ash and good work from Henry Powell led to a chance for Jack Whitman to finish and give Phoenix the lead. Tigers 0 Lions 1.
Phoenix continued to play well and look for a second goal. It came courtesy of the teams very own Gareth Bale in the shape of James Ash. After several runs down the left and some good crosses where Phoenix had failed to get in the box, James decided to go it alone. He sprinted down the left wing past 2 Tigers defenders. He then preceded to cut inside and finish superbly to make it 2-0. No more than the Lions deserved for their play in the first half.
Half Time - Long Lane Tigers 0 Phoenix Lions 2
As the second half kicked off, Phoenix were determined to carry on where they left off.
A corner routine was poorly cleared by Long Lane and fell nicely to Tom Wray who smashed into the top corner in bombastic style for 3-0.
Shortly after, another excellently taken corner from Archie Roast dropped into the box where Charlie Hanmore nipped in front of two Long Lane defenders to head in for 4-0.
Lions had their tails up now and everyone was contributing. More good play led to a second for master finisher Jack Whitman who grabbed his second of the afternoon and the Lions fifth.
The sixth and arguably the goal of the game came from a very unexpected source. Another corner was poorly cleared by Long Lane and outside the box lurking was Jai Carter. He controlled the ball with his left and as it bounced up he launched a superb shot with his right foot that flew over the keeper and straight into the top corner! What a finish. Well deserved for the defensive stalwart who might find himself going up for more corners after that.
Phoenix were not done though and continued to press with Archie Roast dazzling with trick after trick but just failing to find that vital finish.
A seventh came from George Dennington who once again found himself in the right place at the right time and finished well after being unlucky not to find the net earlier in the game.
However, Long Lane kept going and were determined to grab a goal for their efforts. Phoenix had kept their shape most of the game but as the score increased, everyone wanted to get their name on the scoresheet. Long Lane broke and for the first time put Phoenix under real pressure. Phoenix failed to clear the ball despite having a number of defenders back and Long Lane got their goal and ruined Josh and his defences hopes of a clean sheet.
It was virtually the last kick of the game as the referee blew his whistle.
Full Time - Long Lane Tigers 1 Phoenix Lions 7
Well played Phoenix. Although the opposition gave them time to play, they seemed to have learned from recent weeks and applied things they had learned in training into the match. They kept their shape with Josh in goal organising his defence which consisted of the likes of Euan, Jai and Charlie ably supported by Ben or George just in front of them. There was the wing play of James and Archie and some great football from Oscar and Jack and hold up play from Henry.
Tougher tests will come in the league and later rounds of the cup but they have another chance against the same team in the League Cup next week. It will be down to the coaches Jason and Martyn to make sure the boys don't get complacent and work hard again.
Come on you Lions!
