The last time these two sides met the game ended in a 3-3 draw after Phoenix had taken a 3 goal lead into half time. Coming into this game they were looking to finally put that too bed with victory over Wombourne today. Phoenix had Graham back available, so he went back into the centre of dedence and Gibson went back to right back. Both teams were coming into the game on the back of a loss to Claregate Harriers, though that was a few weeks ago.
After having the two previous games called off due to bad weather, you could really tell Phoenix had not played for 3 weeks and to say they started slowly would be an understatement. Wombourne got us underway. A long ball over Darren saw their right winger get behind the defence. His cross to the back post beat Gibson and the attacker knocked it back accross goal for the striker to tap home. Phoenix were shell shocked. Just 20 seconds in they found themselves a goal down.
For 25 minutes Phoenix struggled to make an impact. Their movement was none existent and the passing was sloppy. Wombourne were enjoying the huge spells of possession they were being allowed to have.
Phoenix did get a chance though Adam found himself 1 on 1 with the keeper but he could only put the shot wide. The move had come straight from the training ground. Phoenix have been working hard on making the right through ball and Adam has been working hard on timing the perfect run, it was already paying off. This seemed to spur Phoenix on and you could see they suddenly went up a gear. Dean was next to have a sight at goal but he too put his effort wide.
With half time approaching Phoenix were now looking more a match for Wombourne and when Booth got to the byline he pulled it back to find Dean. His right footed shot was deflected and it found its way past the despairing keeper. This was no more than what Phoenix deserved.
Half time came and some would say Phoenix were fortunate to be level at the break, however they were the team on top in the last 20 minutes. They now needed to carry this on into the second half and that they did.
Phoenix began to dominate the ball creating chance after chance. Wombourne had also missed a couple of weeks football and a few tired legs started to show as they began to chase the ball.
Nipper picked the ball up in defence. He looked up and saw Dean making a run. His long ball should have been dealt with by the defender, but Dean put him under pressure and forced the error. Dean went through and seemed to be pushed down by the recovering defender, the ball deflected into the path of Adam who only had to put the ball into the empty net. That he did and Phoenix led the game 2-1.
With confidence growing, Phoenix produced their team goal of the season. Parker, Gibson, Booth, Dean and Dan all involved. With the ball on the right hand side they created little triangles to combine with each other. Little one-two's between each other, something that has always been done on the training pitch but never quite managed on a Sunday. Gibson passed into deans feet who was able to turn. Dan made the run behind the last defender. Dean played it through, inch perfect, weighted to perfection. Dan hit it first time into the bottom left hand corner and the 3 points surely belonged to Phoenix.
By now Wombourne looked deflated and were out of it. They had a brief 5 minute spell where they kept the ball and created a couple of half chances, but it was nothing that would worry Ade.
With the heads of the Wombourne players down Phoenix finished the game off. Rich Booth who had, had a good game picked the ball up on the right and delivered a cross, which was met by Adam booth at the far post. He nodded it back across goal and Dean was there to knee the ball in for his second and Phoenix's 4th.
Wombourne ended with a couple of late yellow cards due to frustration, but Phoenix marched on to the final whistle. Phenix got the win they deserved and in doing so got the first home league win of the season. The win see's them move off the bottom of the table to 8th place. Their next oppenents are Moseley Park, who are now the team at the bottom. Phoenix must carry this momentum forward and continue to make strides in the League.
