After recent good weather, the grey skies and wind returned as Phoenix Lions embarked on Silver Shield action this week. With the shield games being bought in to take teams up to the end of the season, the Lions have been pitched into a group with Invicta Lions from their own league (who have beaten Lions twice already this season), Footscray Lions from A league and Long Lane Lions and Teviot Rangers Red, both from B South so some competitive matches to come over the next few weeks. However, the Lions would be confident after last week’s victory against second placed Ebbsfleet (which Selkent have finally recognised!) and with the boys getting fitter each week.
Teviot Rangers Red was first up at Woodside Road but with trickster Archie Roast and the bombastic Tom Wray missing this week, the Lions were down to almost the bare bones.
Josh Anderson was back between the sticks this week with a back 4 in front of him of sweeper Charlie Hanmore flanked by James Ash and Jai Carter. Protecting them in the centre of midfield were Ben Chesley and George Dennington with Oscar Hart on the left and Jack Whitman on the right providing the width. Leading scorer Henry Powell took up the lone striker position. Euan Corbett-Smith was on the bench waiting to join the action when called upon.
Kick Off
From the start, Teviot looked a big physical side so it was going to need Phoenix to match them and play the ball around them.
An early chance came for Teviot as their striker burst through and launched a shot which clipped the bar and went over.
The game was fairly even with 15 mins gone but Phoenix were playing the better football with Oscar, Jack and Henry combining well going forward with some neat interplay. Henry using his pace to beat the Teviot defence every time.
It was this combination which led to the opener for Phoenix. A lovely pass from Oscar then by Jack sent Henry clear and he slotted into the bottom left hand corner. Phoenix 1 Teviot 0.
Unfortunately, the lead didn’t last long. Teviot attacked down the right, Phoenix didn’t clear their lines and the ball came out to the Teviot midfielder who smashed it through to draw his team level. Phoenix 1 Teviot 1.
As the match continued to ebb and flow, chances fell to both sides with Josh Anderson making some great saves but the Teviot keeper matching him.
A couple of tackles from behind on Henry went unpunished by the referee who also missed a clash of heads between George and the Teviot keeper.
Half Time – Phoenix Lions 1 Teviot Red 1
Euan Corbett-Smith came on for Jai Carter at the start of the second half and gave the Lions a new dimension attacking down the right hand side. Charlie also carried the ball out from defence a few times coming out of several melees and making some excellent passes out to Jack and James was beginning to find space on the left. However, there was also the chance their attacking runs would see gaps left at the back for Teviot to exploit. They did so on a few occasions but each time Josh Anderson was equal to the task.
As the Lions continued to play their football, numerous changes disrupted Teviot and they became more and more frustrated. As Phoenix passed the ball around, Teviot were left chasing shadows at times.
Lions deservedly took the lead after 45 mins of the game with another superbly worked team goal. Ben intercepted the ball in the middle and looked up to see Jack in space down the right. Jack used his quick feet and pace and get to the by-line and cross in for Henry Powell to add his and Lions second of the afternoon.
Could the Lions shut up shop this time and see the game out?
A final change saw Oscar go off for Jai who slotted back into defence and this allowed James to push up on the left hand side. His extra pace and ability to run with the ball saw him go past the Teviot defence with ease on numerous occasions, one of which he ran from his own half, beat 3 players and shot just wide of the far post.
Phoenix finally got a deserved third when they attacked down the right again and the ball came out to George who smashed it high past the Teviot keeper – who had been excellent all afternoon making saves in a similar vein to Josh.
The referee looked at his watch and it seemed time was up but not before a late scare.
Teviot won a corner and pushed everyone forward. The Achilles heel struck again for Phoenix as they failed to clear and Teviot poked home to make it 2-3.
As the Teviot players celebrated, the referee blew his whistle for the end of the game.
Full Time – Phoenix Lions 3 Teviot Red 2
A great win for the Lions and a superb team performance. The absence of 2 players meant the rest had to play additional time but the training of Jason and Martin on better fitness and their philosophy of playing a passing game paid off.
One game left before the Easter break but it will be without defensive lynchpins Charlie and Euan so the boys will have to show their adaptability and fitness yet again.
Come on you Lions!!
