Despite some good performances in recent weeks Phoenix had been on the end of a string of disappointing results. This week they would face second placed Invicta Lions, who had beaten Phoenix 4-0 earlier in the season so the boys were in for another tough afternoon.
Kick Off
There was a squad of 12 to choose from this week. Jason and Martyn went with Tom in goal, in front of him sweeper Cameron with Charlie and Euan in the full back positions. Ben would hold the middle with Josh with Jack and Bailey providing support out wide. James would be tried in the lone striker position this week having scored 2 goals in a friendly the day before from that very position. Harry, Jai and George would be on the bench waiting to join the action.
Considering spring was supposed to have sprung, the weather didn’t agree and it was very windy and wet but the pitch – although the grass long in places – looked good albeit with quite a slope.
Invicta did not have any physically imposing players and the sides looked evenly matched. Phoenix got off to a fast start and were first to the ball. They gave Invicta no time to play and forced them into mistakes. The new look back 3 gave away nothing at all. The midfield controlled the ball well, playing some neat football and trying to play in James.
After 10 minutes, a breakthrough came as the Invicta defence gifted the ball to James who had closed down and he lofted his shot over the keeper and in for 1-0. No more than Phoenix deserved for their excellent start.
However, Invicta levelled after about 20 mins. Charlie missed a clearance and was running to chase back, he caught up with the player but at the same time Tom was quick off his line. Instead of tackling the Invicta player, they collided with each other and both got injured. The ref played on and a scuffed shot was headed towards goal but in his effort to save it, Cameron stumbled and the ball went in off his hip. Very unlucky from Phoenix who up to then had looked comfortable. 1-1.
As half time approached, Invicta got more into the game and their Asian striker had now come on and was causing a few problems. As he got the ball on the edge of the box, he curled a cracking shot into the top right hand corner to give his side a somewhat undeserved lead. 1-2.
Half Time – Invicta Lions 2 Phoenix Lions 1
At half time, Jason left the team alone so as not to disrupt the play as it had been fairly even.
Phoenix were now kicking downhill – but into the wind so as they thought the ball would run away down the slope, it held up and allowed players to get round it. Phoenix were again first to the ball on most occasions winning some excellent headers.
About 10 minutes into the second half, Phoenix were level. Another excellent passage of play saw James clear in front of goal and he duly dispatched his shot into the corner for 2-2.
Now with their tails up, Phoenix were bossing the game. George was now on in place of Josh and was winning the ball and starting attacks with some towering headers. The back 3 of Cameron, Charlie and Euan were playing it nicely out from the back and Charlie was finding space down the left, at one point almost finding his way into the Invicta box. Jack had been switching sides with Bailey all game which was working well.
After about 15 minutes of the second half, Jack had the ball in his own half. Seeing the space open up in front of him, he started running at the Invicta defence. He skipped past the first few tackles nicely but started to lose control of the ball as it ran away to his right. However, he never gave up the chase and as he reached the ball he saw the Invicta defender and keeper coming towards him. Jack managed to get there first and slot the ball past both of them into the bottom left hand corner. A superb goal and reward for never giving up. 3-2.
After going in front, Phoenix reduced Invicta to long range efforts and never really looked like losing their lead. However, they would need to concentrate as a team to see the game out.
Jai came on for Euan who was limping and Harry for Ben just as additional insurance in front of the defence.
Invicta had one last chance with a free kick which was put wide before the ref blew his whistle for full time.
Full Time – Invicta Lions 2 Phoenix Lions 3
A superb win for Phoenix against a team who will finish 2nd in the league. Made even better by the performance and just reward for the last few weeks hard work and for sticking to their task.
They remain second bottom in the league but still have to play bottom placed Hayden again, South Darenth twice, Real Gima and Highway so there are plenty of points to be won yet.
If they can play in those games as they did today, they will get the results they deserve and climb the table.
Come on you Lions!
