On a cold Sunday morning, Phoenix Lions were back in action after a pro-longed festive break. Opponents were South Darenth who we had played twice before this season, losing 1-2 in the first league game and beating them 4-0 in the cup.
Kick Off
Lions started kicking down the slight slope and played some good early football. A couple of early chances fell to Henry Powell who missed the opportunity to give Lions the lead.
The Phoenix back line which had looked untroubled up to now were then caught cold. Charlie Hanmore took himself over to the right to take a throw which landed at the feet of Ben Chesley. Ben delayed his pass and was caught in possession. Charlie had not got back and a ball straight through the middle found the Darenth striker who slotted past Josh Anderson for 0-1.
Phoenix continued to press but were being hounded with 2 or 3 Darenth players closing down every time a Lion had the ball and Darenth generally being quicker to the loose balls.
As Charlie bought the ball out of defence to try and make something happen, a replica of the first goal occurred. A ball straight through the middle, a missed header from Ben and it was 0-2.
Lions had a lot of possession but couldn’t find the final ball. Darenth pounced on 2 defensive mistakes and found themselves somewhat undeservedly 2-0 up.
As half time approached, a golden chance to get Lions back into it fell to Tom Wray after an excellent corner from Archie Roast. As the ball fell to Tom at the far post, it looked easier to score but he managed to smash the post and see his effort go wide.
Half Time – Phoenix Lions 0 South Darenth 2
Lions came out in the second half determined to get back into the game.
However, Darenth were still quicker to the ball and working harder when not in possession. Another defensive mistake left the Darenth midfielder with a clear shot on goal which he dispatched for 0-3.
The Lions then managed a breakthrough. Archie Roast was fouled on the edge of the box and dusted himself down to take the free kick. As he floated a great shot in, the Darenth keeper parried straight to James Ash who hammered in for 1-3.
Sensing a chance to get back into it and pushing forward, Lions were then picked off twice more in quick succession. Each time, quick play from Darenth and poor defensive mistakes from Phoenix left the score at 1-5.
Henry Powell grabbed a late consolation with a neat finish to make it 2-5 but it was too little, too late for a deflated Lions.
Full Time – Phoenix Lions 2 South Darenth 5
The Lions had been hunted down and their inconsistent season continued. Brilliant one week when given time to play or when they are up for it, poor the next when they don’t work as a team or lose their shape.
Frustration showed on the faces of the management team of Jason Ash and Martyn Whitman after the game as they struggled to work out what had gone wrong and how to motivate the players and get them ready for the next game.
The boys have played together for nearly 5 years now but sometimes still play like strangers. Old enough now to take responsibility, Jason and Martyn will no doubt have some things to say at the 2 training sessions before the next match…….not the start anyone wanted to 2014 but plenty of league matches still to play and cup quarter final to look forward to at the start of Feb.
Come on you Lions!
