Before the game, news broke out of a training ground bust up between two of the Phoenix players which has seen one player decide to leave the club. His transfer request was accepted by the club members and we understand he has approached his old team the Pyle Cock B team. Rumours suggest that Pyle Cock FC do not want to take this player back according to our sources.
On the pitch though Phoenix put in a strong performance only to be narrowly beaten 2-1 by a team that beat them 4-1 earlier in pre-season, which shows the improvement in the few games we have played since then.
Phoenix made a couple of changes to the line up that started the game in that 1-1 draw at the start of their campaign. John Allen deputised for Darren turner at Left Back, whilst Chris Booth back from his holidays came in to Centre midfield to fill the whole that Robert Hawkins has left.
Phoenix made a solid start but were soon under pressure as Gospel went through the gears. Gospel managed to find space all through the midfield and were creating little triangles to break through the midfield, one touch football played well. However despite this the phoenix back four held strong and restricted Gospel to long shots which were comfortbale for Ade to hold on to.
Eventually though Gospel's possession and hard work finally brought about the first goal of the game. 30 minutes in Gospel broke down the right. The ball was played to their striker who from at an angle hit a powerful right footed shot and Ade was beaten at the near post, not alot he could have done about it.
Phoenix were down to 10 men though for 5 minutes of the game as Rich Gibson was forced of to see to an injury that saw his nose pouring with blood after he clashed with their striker in the air. It appeared to be an elbow but was purely accidental and no action was taken against the player and Gibson was able to continue. From there on Phoenix held Gospel through to half time at 1-0.
The second half brought a few changes for phoenix in formation and personel. John Allen came off and was replaced by Rob Seal, making his first appearance of the season. Phoenix switched to a 3-5-2 formation. Graham Jones was pushed up front to support Adam, whilst Ste dropped back into the back 3 with Nippa and Gibson. Rob Seal moved into the midfield.
The 5 midfielders suffocated the Gospel midfield and the gaps that appeared in the first half were no longer there. Phoenix threw everything at Gospel and now they were the team on top and created many chances in the second half. The best chance falling to Adam. Gospel had the ball at the back and their defender played a terrible back pass which Adam raced onto. He went round the keeper and had an empty net to put the ball into, but after doing all the hard work he could only put the ball wide of the far post and the score stayed at 1-0.
Phoenix were now playing with a very high line and playing offside. Gospel were caught off-side a few times but then they beat the trap and as nippa had pushed forward their forward raced forward with ste chasing him down. Ste went for the block but the striker cut back inside. Gibson was getting back but before he could get there the striker struck the ball well into the corner, ade got his fingertips to the ball but couldnt divert the ball round the post.
Gospel now had a 2-0 lead and with legs tiring for Phoenix it all looked over for them. However this was not the case and Phoenix continued to push creating further chances. Graham making some intelligent runs getting shots away and on target, Dan had a long range effort just wide. Nippa was now pushed forward too and had a free kick saved.
In the 90th minute Phoenix got a throw in on the left hand side. Gibson went over to take it and produced a long throw that evaded the crowd but fell to Nippa at the back who hit a sweet shot into the corner of the goal and Phoenix had a glimmer of hope.
The goal though came to late and the game was brought to an end. Phoenix beaten in the cup but could hold their heads high after putting in a great performance and had they taken their own chances could have won this game.
Phoenix can move forward though knowing that game by game they are improving and that first win is surely just around the corner.
