In a game where tempers flared, both teams walked away with a share of the points. Phoenix were coming into the game on the back of a 1-0 loss, when they felt they should have had at least a draw, APC came into the game after losing 2-0 in their previous game. So both teams were looking to get back on track and avoid defeat for two straight games. Phoenix were forced into 2 changes for this game. Craig deputised for Hayden in goal, whilst Dave Lucas made his first start in place of Chris Booth who has been struggling with his shins.
Phoenix started the game very well, keeping the ball well and creating some chances, whilst at the other end APC were limited although they did pose a threat with the pace of their forwards. The first clear chance of the half fell to Adam though. A cross from the right wing found its way to Ad, but he could only head into the hands of the keeper and the score stayed at 0-0. It didnt take long for phoenix to get the next opportunity and this time Ad made no mistakes. A headed through ball from Graham and Adam pounced on it. From about 18 yards out and at a slight angle he used the ouside of his right foot to curl it in at the near post and Phoenix moved 1-0 ahead.
Phoenix looked comfortable and never really looked troubled. Nippa and Chris beginning to form a formidable partnership at the centre of defence keeping the oppenents to long distance efforts. The game started to turn nasty though. After APC were caught off-side a few times they turned their frustration on the lines man, giving abuse and even spectators were getting involved. Their frustration boiled over at times and a few late tackles were starting to become a common theme of the first half, with the phoenix players on the recieving end of them, Darren taking a bad one saw him react which caused a scuffle that saw substitute players from the APC team running on the pitch to try and get involved. Things calmed down and the match continued. As a result the first yellow card of the game was produced. Darren would recieve a yellow later in the game.
30 minutes in though and APC were level. It was a goal that came out of nothing and one that was a gift to the APC team. APC had the ball in midfield trying to find the gap that never came. The forward tried his luck from distance and produced a shot that was quite tame really. The shot was strraight at the keeper but he could not gather it properly and the ball rolled between his legs and over the line in what appeared to be slow motion and Phoenix's hard work was undone.
The goal rallied the Phoenix team though and on 40 minutes they were in front again. Dave making a good run down the right after some good link up play with Rich Booth. Dave played the ball in field to Graham who squared it to Ad, who curled an effort into the right hand corner of the net. Phoenix were 2-1 up and in control at half time.
After the break the game completely turned. Phoenix were not the side they were in the first half, their composure and concentration had deserted them and this allowed APC to pile the pressure on them. The defence stood strong for 20 minutes restricting them to long shots and forcing them to lose the ball. But on 65 minutes it was another long range effort that beat the keeper, this time though there was not alot the keeper could of done. it was hit low, hard and accurately into the bottom left corner, the keeper only helping it in as he tried in vain to stop it.
The last 20 minutes saw both teams have opportunites to put the game to bed, Phoenix probably having most of them with chances for Adam, Graham, Dan and Rich all going begging. The best chance though fell to APC. After Gibson had given a free-kick away on the APC left wing, the cross came in missing everyone in the middle, it fell to the APC winger who had ghosted in at the back post and from 5 yards out he could only put it over the bar when it looked easier to score.
So for the 2nd week running Phoenix were left frustrated at again missing the chance to score their first win of the season. The win is just on the horizon for Phoenix, we just have to keep working hard with what we are doing and keep believing in ourselves.
