On a bright and unusually warm afternoon for the time of year, Phoenix Lions were in cup action again against Long Lane Tigers - the same team they had faced in the London Cup last week. This week it was the Selkent League Cup extra preliminary round. After last weeks comfortable win, Phoenix would need to be aware of complacency as Long Lane would surely be out to give a better account of themselves.
Kick Off
With some new additions to their team, Long Lane looked a little more organised in the early stages. Phoenix lined up with plenty of width as they did in the previous week but were unable to make inroads in the first 5-10 minutes.
However, as the half went on and Phoenix found their feet, it started to open up for them. Archie Roast and James Ash provided the width and were able to get crosses in but with nobody on the end able to convert them were left frustrated. Encouraged to keep playing and take some shots, Phoenix just couldn't find the net, raining in a dozen or so shots off target before making the keeper make a save. Josh Anderson in goal and his defence of Jai Carter, Euan Corbett-Smith and Ben Chesley were left with little to do except enjoy the autumnal weather.
Eventually pressure took its toll on Long Lane and some smart work between Oscar Hart and Jack Whitman led to Henry Powell finding himself in space. After failing to score the previous week, he was determined to get on the scoresheet in this one. Henry calmly took the ball in his stride and cut inside the Tigers defender before dispatching a low shot into the net. 1-0 Lions.
Half Time - Long Lane Tigers 0 Phoenix Lions 1
As the second half kicked off, Phoenix again tried to attack with plenty of width this time weighted to the right hand side. James Ash was moved back to give him some exposure to the defence and Charlie Hanmore was pushed up into an unfamilar right wing role. He combined well with marauding right back Tom Wray and both were heavily involved, taking quick throw ins and creating crosses which Henry and Jack were unable to convert.
In a crazy 10 minute spell at the beginning of the second half, Phoenix completely took the game away from Long Lane.
First Jack Whitman pounced after some poor defending to make it 2-0.
More poor defending led to another chance for Henry Powell who doubled his tally for the afternoon to make it 3-0.
He completed his hat-trick shortly afterwards with a superbly taken free kick. The referee awarded the kick just outside the box and there were plenty wanting to take the kick. With some great strikers of the ball, Phoenix are spoilt for choice but much to the surprise of the watching parents, Henry was given the opportunity. He promptly stepped up and smashed the kick right into the top right corner of the net, giving the keeper no chance and silencing the doubting parents! 4-0
Not content with 3 goals, Henry was hungry for more and in probably his best display in the Phoenix green, was provided another opportunity after some excellent interplay between Jack and Oscar. In similar style to his first goal, he showed great composure to step inside his defender and place the ball into the corner for his 4th and Phoenix 5th of the game.
Midfield general George Dennington then found himself in the right place at the right time as a poor clearance allowed him to score another well taken goal high into the Long Lane net. 6-0.
Diminutive attacking midfielder Oscar Hart then got in on the act. More excellent passing play between him and Jack Whitman allowed him time to place his shot into the net for 7-0.
Phoenix were now looking to score with every attack. More chances came and went before a good cross from Charlie Hanmore was struck goalwards by Ben Chesley - playing as a makeshift striker. The Tigers defence then got in each others way and deflected the ball past their own keeper and into the net for 8-0.
Despite being on the receiving end of yet another heavy defeat, Long Lane continued to work hard and look for a consolation. They were duly rewarded as Phoenix forgot how to defend and some good build up allowed the Tigers to slot home past keeper Josh Anderson and ruin his clean sheet bonus for the second week running. 8-1.
Shortly after, the referee blew his whistle for the end of the game.
Full Time - Long Lane Tigers 1 Phoenix Lions 8
Phoenix through the the next round of the League Cup where they will face club rivals Phoenix Jaguars in what will sure to be a tough, hotly contested game.
Come on you Lions!
