It was the morning after the night before for the parents with lots of dark glasses hiding tired eyes. The boys, luckily, were not so tired and were up for a league cup battle against a fellow Phoenix team in the Jaguars. Jaguars were coming from a lower league but had won 4 out of 4 before this game so it looked like it was going to be a test.
Kick Off
Lions in their change strip of red, set up with a slight change from the norm with regular keeper Josh Anderson being given a run out in defence with able deputy Tom Wray taking over between the sticks. Whether it was the change in formation or perhaps the boys were half asleep but from the kick off, Jaguars played some neat football and passed their way through the Lions back 4. The Jaguars striker was given time to place his shot past Tom in goal and they went ahead. Lions 0 Jaguars 1.
This seemed to have shocked the Lions who had barely had a touch of the ball. However, after a few tackles and a bit of possession, Lions settled down and found joy down the flanks with Euan Corbett-Smith in particular, playing in a more advanced position than usual, taking the game to them on the right hand side. It was Euan who scored the equaliser after some neat interplay. Euan finished well to grab his first goal for Phoenix Lions since his summer transfer. 1-1.
Once level, the Lions found their feet and despite missing a week due to bad weather, carried on from the 2 cup victories the weeks before, playing some really good football and making light of the larger 11-aside pitch. The passing philosiphy seemed to be finally sinking in. The defence of Jai, Charlie and Josh were calm and composed and able to play across the back line and support the midfield.
The Lions deservedly took the lead with a great team goal. George Dennington won a header in the midfield and played it wide to Archie Roast, who had been introduced on the right hand side. Archie got to the touchline and crossed it back for George to finish well and make it 2-1.
Now in front, Lions made the game look easy and James Ash was rewarded for his excellent work with another fine long range effort. 3-1.
Half Time - Phoenix Lions 3 Phoenix Jaguars 1
The second half started the way the first ended with Lions quicker to the ball and passing it round nicely.
Some quick feet in the box from Henry Powell led to him being fouled and awarded a penalty. Henry promptly stepped up and smashed it past the Jaguars keeper into the top left of the goal. 4-1.
Jack Whitman then got in on the act with another well worked team goal and nice finish to make it 5-1.
The ever bombastic Tom Wray then set up Henry for another. Tom got in space on the right hand side and looked to shoot. However, his shot was miscued and it fell nicely to Henry to make it 6.
The final goal was possibly the best of them all. Archie Roast who had been unlucky not to score in previous wins, got the ball on the left and ran at the Jaguars defence. As he approached the area, he curled a superb right footed effort over and past the Jaguars keeper for 7.
Full Time - Phoenix Lions 7 Phoenix Jaguars 1
Another superb display from Phoenix Lions who move onto the first round proper against Welling United Red.
It will have been 5-6 weeks since their last league game so could be playing catch up by Christmas as London Cup action awaits next week.
Come on you Lions!
