This week the Phoenix Lions faced a tough test against current Selkent B East league leaders Invicta Lions, a team that had beaten us twice last season. The previous week had seen a poor performance from the boys, resulting in a deserved 6-2 loss to the Junior Reds Sabres. Manager Jason Ash had advised the boys in no uncertain terms what he thought of the performance and where he felt things went wrong. It is one thing to thrash weaker opponents in the early rounds of the Selkent and London cups but the same attitude needs to be applied against the more challenging opposition encountered in the league. With the lions currently sitting bottom after two games a win is sorely needed or at least an improved performance.
The first challenge that manager Jason Ash faced was to get nine fully-fit players in a starting formation, with numerous players unavailable, doubtful or injured. Defensive kingpins Charlie Hanmore and Euan Corbett-Smith were not available to play this week due to personal commitments and to compound matters, attacking midfielder and play-maker Cameron Barrett aggravated a previous knee injury during Wednesday evening training and did not recover in time to play. Fortunately, after a two week absence, midfielder George Dennington was able to return to action meaning that nine players were available although, this meant a 60 minute shift from everyone with no subs available.
Manager Jason Ash had to change the team accordingly and the starting formation was 4-3-1 with Tom Wray in goal, centrebacks George Dennington and Oscar Hart, fullbacks Josh Anderson and Jai Carter, Ben Chesley right midfield, James Ash left midfield, Jack Whitman central midfield and Henry Powell as lone striker.
Kick Off
It was clear from the kick off that the boys seemed comfortable with the new formation and applied pressure to the Invicta defence immediately. A very positive start saw good combination play between James and Henry leading to numerous chances for both. Henry found his way through the defence on a couple of occasions but a heavy touch just allowed the advancing keeper to gather the ball. A Phoenix corner was met with a James header but he was unable to get any power behind it and the keeper was able to save. Ben then advanced past the Invicta left back into the area but the defender was just able to get his tackle in to deflect the shot wide.
Invicta did manage a few break-away forays forward but the Phoenix defence of Jai, Josh, George & Oscar dealt with things comfortably with some exceptionally strong defensive headers from George. James started to get the better of the Invicta right back beating him on a few occasions but with his resultant shots going wide. A Phoenix throw in level with the edge of the penalty area found its way to Jack whose first time shot led to a smart save from the Invicta keeper. Invicta were still reliant on occasional breaks and one such dangerous break down the Phoenix right led to Tom charging out of his goal and expertly (and fairly) seeing both Invicta player and ball off the pitch.
Phoenix were taking the game to Invicta with defenders defending high up the pitch, midfield advancing and lone striker Henry being his usual menacing self. The opening goal soon followed but unfortunately for Phoenix it was completely against the run of play. An Invicta attack led to a cross into the box which defender George, who had been strong in the air all game, missed a header and the ball fell to the Invicta forward who put the ball into the top corner. Phoenix 0 Invicta 1. Further attacks from Phoenix followed in the short time remaining but to no avail and the half time whistle blew with Invicta taking in an underserved 1-0 advantage.
Half Time - Phoenix Lions 0 Invicta Lions 1
Phoenix started the second half relatively well with a James break down the left and Henry sliding in and just missing the target with the side netting rippling. From that moment the game seemed to change with Invicta starting to get the better of things. With no substitutes for manager Jason to call upon, maybe fatigue started to set in but the good work in the first half was soon a distant memory.
There were contentious elements to all three of the second half goals scored by Invicta but it could not be argued that they were not deserved with a complete reversal of play seen in the first half with Phoenix camped in their own half and reliant on occasional unfruitful break aways. Henry was becoming increasingly isolated and unable to hold up the ball sufficiently to bring the midfielders into play.
The second goal came from an Invicta free kick on the Phoenix left that was floated in and seemingly collected easily by keeper Tom. Unfortunately, Tom spilled the ball which landed at the feet of an Invicta forward who tapped into an unguarded net.
The third started with th Invicta left midfielder breaking through but seemingly controlling the ball with his hand in his running motion. The referee did not notice and allowed play to go on. Poor attempts at tackles were made enabling the player to expertly shoot across goal and into the net.
The final goal came from a corner that was given following a tackle from the impressive Oscar but what went unnoticed was the ball deflecting offof the Invicta forward last and therefore the decision should have been a goal kick. The resulting corner was not dealt with by the Phoenix defence and the ball was deflected to the Invicta forward who looped the ball over everyone and into the net.
Full Time - Phoenix Lions 0 Invicta Lions 4
A definitive game of two halves with excellent work rate, organisation and team play in the first half from the boys which seemed to evaporate in the second half. Maybe heads went down after conceding the first goal against the run of play, maybe fatigue did set in with no subs to call upon, maybe the footballing gods were not on the boys side with a few contentious calls and basic errors but the net result is another home loss for the boys who remain bottom of Selkent B League without a point.
That said there were a few positives with good defensive performances from George and Oscar in the centre of defence which should give Jason some options in that department going forward and Jai completing his first full 60 minutes of the season without re-occurrence of his ongoing leg injury.
Next week we welcome back Charlie and Euan and keep our fingers crossed that Cameron recovers from his knee injury in time to feature in our second round London Cup match against Long Lane Tigers who currently have a 100% record in Selkent C West. A team we know very well and therefore an opportunity to regroup and recover some confidence that seems to have been missing in recent league games.
It’s been a very frustrating season so far with excellent cup form and poor league form but if the boys were to apply the same intensity that they apply in training and took some of the learnings installed in them by Jason and Martyn during training then it won’t be long before that first elusive league win is forthcoming.
Come on you Lions!
