Phoenix came into their second league game looking to build on the point they got in their first game. Their oppenents, Churchill Rovers came into the game on the back of a 3-1 win in their first game. Phoenix again made changes. Daz came back into left back after a week off. Graham was pushed up front with Chris Parkes dropping into centre back to form a partnership with Nippa. Chris booth was moved to the right wing and Rich booth was moved into the centre of midfield with Ste.
Both team started brightly but it was churchill Rovers who started the brighter and with just 9 minutes played on the clock they won a corner that wasn't dealt with efficiently from Phoenix and it was headed into the back of the net.
This however seemed to kick Phoenix into life and they started passing the ball around and created chance after chance. The Rovers keeper kept Churchill in the game. Phoenix got a freekick on the right hand side that was cleared only as far as booth who cut the ball back for Adam, who hit the shot first time and the keeper turned the ball onto the post and out of play for what should have been a corner but the referee saw otherwise and gave a goal kick.
Phoenix continued to pressure and this led to further chances. Dan picked the ball up on the left hand side and played it down the line, the defender couldn't deal with it proper and the ball fell to Rich who turned and hit the shot on the volley only for the keeper to again deny Phoenix and Rich a wonder goal. Rich again picked the ball up on the left hand side and hit a curling shot that the keeper tipped onto the bar. The ball dropped on the line and everyone thought Ad was going to just nod into the empty net but the keeper somehow managed to get to his feet and push the ball away for a corner.
Phoenix sustained this pressure for the remainder of the half that saw Dan have an effort go just over and Graham have efforts just wide. But for all the pressure Phoenix could not capitalise and the ref blew for half time.
The second half was more balanced as Phoenix went looking for that equalising goal and Churchill were looking to counter when Phoenix pushed men forward. Chris booth became fatigued and Rob Seal was brought on which was Phoenix's only substitute of the game. Phoenix were starting to get frustrated as they could not put their chances away and they could see the game slipping away as the time passed. Churchill began to see less and less of the ball and with 10 minutes to go they were penned back in there own 18 yard box as Phoenix threw everything at them to try and salvage the drew that they deserved. As it was Churchill held out for the 1-0 and Phoenix were left to rue the missed chances that they had made.
Phoenix can leave Colton Hills though with their heads held high as they had produced what was their best performance to date. Its ironic that in a game where they created the most chances, its the first game in which they havent scored.
All players played with a confidence that wasnt there at the start of the season and you can now see the team gelling and bcoming a solid unit. 2 games, 1 point, 1 goal scored and just 2 conceded is a solid start for the new team and its something that can certaintly be built on.
