After last weekend’s postponement, Phoenix Lions were in Selkent League Cup 3rd round action this week against HF Sports Adders from the Selkent A League.
It was a bright sunny winters day but the pitch looked good so would hopefully make for an entertaining game.
Kick Off
With Oscar Hart falling ill, it was a squad of 11 available this week. Phoenix lined up with Tom in goal, in front of him a back 3 of Josh, Charlie and Ben. In front of them George and Cameron, with James and Jack providing the width. Henry would take up the lone striker position. Jai and Ben would be on the bench waiting to join the action.
HF Sports Adders made the early running and had one or two big strong lads who would clearly be looking to use their size and power against the Lions, something Phoenix had struggled with in the past. Phoenix struggled to get hold of the ball in the opening exchanges but did win an early corner.
As the ball was swung in, Adders broke away and found themselves 3 on 2 as Charlie had gone up for the corner and found himself out of position. The HF midfielder ran and ran towards the Lions goal and despite the best efforts of Ben who had made up the ground, the ball found its way past Tom in goal to give the Adders the lead. 0-1.
You would have expected a reaction from Phoenix but it didn’t seem to come as they still struggled to play their normal passing and pressing game.
In almost the next attack, the tricky HF Sports striker weaved his way past 3 or 4 weak tackles and scuffed his shot low into the corner to make it 0-2.
It looked like it might be a long afternoon for the Lions. Phoenix were then complaining and arguing amongst themselves instead of steeling themselves for a fight back. Tom Wray in goal was keeping them in the game with some superb saves as his confidence as a keeper continues to grow.
HF Sports attacked again and this time Charlie decided the striker wasn’t going past him so committed a foul on the edge of the box. The free kick was high and wide but the tackle Charlie made seemed to wake the Lions up and realise they would need to compete in order to get back in the game.
Cameron started to hold the ball up well and Henry had started to chase down the lost causes, so often the catalyst for many Phoenix attacks. It looked like the goal would not come though as chances came and went and it looked like being one of those days.
But sure enough, as half time approached, Phoenix broke down the left with Cameron and James playing some good passing before slotting in Henry who placed his shot well to make it 1-2.
Half Time – HF Sports Adders 2 Phoenix Sports Lions 1
At half time, Euan was bought on for Josh and with Charlie starting to feel the effects of an injury sustained the previous day, Jai was told to get ready.
Phoenix were straight out for the second half with one of the shortest team talks ever as Jason had basically told them to get back out and carry on where they had left off.
That is exactly what they did with Phoenix being stronger in the tackle and they were pressing from the front, forcing the Adders into mistakes.
They deservedly drew level after some good work from Henry saw him sidestep 2 or 3 tackles before shooting low down to the left hand post. The ball hit the post and appeared to come out but the Phoenix boys claimed it was over the line and looked at the ref. He looked to his linesman who in fairness said the ball was in and the goal was given. 2-2.
Phoenix were now the team in the ascendency and continued to press to try and get themselves in front. As Henry closed down yet another poor back pass the Adders keeper was out of position and the ball found its way to Cameron. He looked surrounded by 2 or 3 defenders but saw the white of the net and struck a superb curling shot past the defenders and over the back pedalling keeper and in to give Phoenix the lead. 3-2.
After Phoenix were in the lead, Charlie could no longer continue so Jason shuffled the pack. Charlie was replaced by Jai and went to right back. Cameron was shifted to sweeper – a position he had played previously for Millwall and a player who has the intelligence to play there – whilst Ben was moved up into the central defensive midfield position.
The re-shuffle initially seemed to unsettle Phoenix and they were subject to several attacks as the Adders grew desperate but Phoenix held firm with Tom Wray being called into action but refusing to be beaten again. Phoenix were now playing on the break – which is playing straight into James hands as he got more and more space to run into and it was his searing run and cross that led to Henry having a chance for his hat-trick – but from just 2 yards out his shot hit the bar and he was denied.
Shortly after, James made another mazy run and laid it on a plate for Henry again who made no mistake this time and slotted home to make it 4-2.
As the game drew to a close, Adders looked like a beaten team and Lions were satisfied to stick with what they had and to get through to the quarter finals.
Full Time – HF Sports Adders 2 Phoenix Sports Lions 4
A brilliant fight back from the Lions and showed that they can compete against A league standard teams if they want to. Everything they hadn’t done against Bromley 2 weeks ago or in earlier league games, they did today. Working as a team – eventually – and pressing from the front. They just need to carry that level of performance into 2015.
A good way to sign off before the Christmas break for both the boys and suffering parents. There are no games for 21st & 28th December but football will return on Sunday 4th January 2015.
They will have some league games to catch up on in the first few weeks of 2015 before the League Cup Quarter Final against AFC All Stars (from Selkent A) on Sunday 25th January.
So until 2015, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and Come on you Lions!
