On a cold wintery day that saw the game played in a snow shower, this last round of 16 of the Ken pemberton Cup was finally able to go ahead at the 3rd time of asking.
Phoenix saw only one change to their line up, with danial Hodge and ste Whittingham missing from this game Rob AKA Bale deputised at left midfield.
With the two teams separated by two divisions, Corpus were expected to come out of this as the winners and the team to advance into the quarter finals, but Phoenix the underdogs were going to do their level best to prevent this from happening. All started well for the away side as they created the first real chance of the game, a defensive mishap saw Rich Booth through one on one with the keeper. his strike though was at a comfortable height for the opposing keeper and not far enough into the corner as the keeper parried it away for a corner.
Corpus started to take control of the game with Phoenix seeing little of the ball but when tey did in the 15 minute, they won a free kick which gave the defenders a chance to come forward and parker a chance to put the ball into the box. the delivery was a good one and Craig rose highest to get the slightest touch to direct the ball into the corner of the goal and the cup upset was on.
Corpus upped their level of performance and their midfielders started to run the game, spreading the ball nicely around and going on mazey runs that Phoenix had no answer for at times. Ade was called upon several times to produce some fine saves and keep Phoenix ahead.
but on 35 minutes a run down the right hand side saw a croos come into the Phoenix box and the unmarked player was able to volley home from 6 yards and put the two sides level.
And just 5 minutes later Phoenix fell asleep at a corner that was played to the near post and the scorer of the first Corpus goal claimed his second of the game after his run got to him to the ball unchallenged to tap home. this would give Corpus a half time lead.
A few Phoenix heads were down but a pep talk from the manager and goalkeeper got them back up again, but 3 minutes into the second half the tie was all but over as difference in league positions showed. Again a corner swung in was not dealt with properly as the clearance found the corner taker back out on the right hand side. His low crossed flashed accross the front of goal and the striker had an easy tap in to make it 3-1. The off-side flag was up but the refferee over ruled the decision and the goal stood.
With all the pressure off Phoenix began to enjoy playing some football and had some good spells with the ball, but they could not find the end product in the final third.
From another dead ball situation however the ball fell too daz in the penalty area and he unleashed a left footed strike the keeper managed to tip onto the post, had it gone in Corpus may have endured a nervy ending.
Some hard work in midfield and defence combined with some more fine keeping from Ade saw the score remain at 3-1 come the end of the game. Phoenix were out but could take some positives from a game they were never expected to win. With just 4 games remaining of their season they will now look to push themselves into the mid table and beyond as results in the league went their way.
up next is Coven at home, a team they have beaten twice, once in the cup they have just exited and only a few weeks ago did they beat Coven 3-2 away. Confidence will be high as they look to make it 3 straight wins in the league.
