Phoenix Lions were back in London Cup action this week with a Second Round tie against Long Lane Tigers from C West of the Selkent League.
The weather was appalling with incessant rain pouring down on players and parents alike so everyone would be looking for a morale boosting win to make it worthwhile.
After playing with the bare 9 last week, the squad was back up to 12 this week as the Lions welcomed back Charlie and Euan. James was carrying an injured toe but managed to start the game.
Kick Off
Phoenix lined up with Tom in goal, in front of him a back 4 of Euan, Oscar, George and Charlie – who moved out to left back this week. In front of them Cameron, James and Jack in midfield with Henry up front. Ben, Jai and Josh would be on the bench waiting to join the action.
From the start it was clear that the conditions were going to be difficult but Phoenix started well and were camped in the Long Lane half. The Lions were being given plenty of space to play their passing game although a few passes went astray thanks to the increasingly difficult pitch.
Henry, Cameron and Jack had some good interplay up front but failed to create any clear cut chances. James, despite his injury, was causing havoc down the left.
Eventually the pressure told and it was down to Henry to open the scoring after some good work down the right and a neat finish. 1-0.
Shortly afterwards Phoenix made it two when a direct free kick from Cameron squirmed away from the keeper and into the net. 2-0.
George then went down in some pain and was carried off to be replaced by Ben.
Jack then made it 3-0 with another calm finish.
Having already been on a couple of marauding runs down the right, Euan went on another one. As he got closer to the box meandering his way round the whole Long Lane defence, he applied a great finish to make it 4-0.
A great half for Phoenix who had barely been under any pressure against what looked like poor quality opposition.
Half Time – Phoenix Sports Lions 4 Long Lane Tigers 0
At half time, manager Jason Ash decided to try a few things out so James came off to rest his injury as did Euan. Charlie was moved up to left midfield to replace James and Josh came in at left back. Jai was put at centre back with Ben moving out to right back.
The changes seemed to unsettle the team and Long Lane immediately got a goal back. Their big strong number 14 got the ball and ran straight at the Phoenix players. In a scene we have seen many times before already this season, the Phoenix boys seemed afraid to put a tackle in and he was allowed to get to the box and shoot to make it 1-4.
This buoyed Long Lane and got the next 10 minutes they were the better team. They spotted a weakness in Phoenix down the middle and constantly played straight through leaving Tom to make some excellent clearances.
The Long Lane manager also took umbrage to some of the decisions made by stand-in referee – and Phoenix Assistant Manager - Martin Whitman – and seemed to be complaining at every decision despite Martin’s insistence of trying to let play go on and with him even not giving decisions for his own team sometimes.
After they had weathered the storm, Phoenix gained a measure of control. Charlie went on a great run down the left and Henry teed up Jack to make it 1-5 and Cameron scored his second of the afternoon to make it 1-6.
Both Cameron and Jack were now on hat-tricks but to their disappointment, they were taken off along with Oscar to be replaced by George, James and Euan.
The game petered out, a bit like the rain and despite a mid-match scare, Phoenix ran out comfortable winners.
Full Time – Phoenix Sports Lions 7 Long Lane Tigers 1
Phoenix again proving they are too good for the C and even some of the lower level B teams in the cup competitions. They will face Bromley next who were formerly in Selkent A and now in the Kent League and are former winners of the London Cup. That really will be another tough afternoon ahead for the boys at the end of November.
Before that they will face Hayden Youth in the league but could be down to as little as 8 players due to absence. Fingers crossed that won’t be the case as Hayden have a similar record to Phoenix in the league having played 3, lost 3 so it would be a good chance to get some league points on the board.
Those that do play will have to work extra hard to make up for those missing.
Come on you Lions!
