Phoenix came to the City road riding high on last week’s 4-I demolition of Warley in the league. Warley, in contrast, were eager to avenge a poor performance. Phoenix lifted the cup last season and it was going to take a very special performance from their opposition to release their grip on the trophy...... and what a performance!
Straight from the Kick off Phoenix threatened the Warley backline and nearly scored in under a minute as Colm managed to save early on. Warley then quickly settled playing the ball into the channels and on the floor. Last week the Phoenix midfield dominated but it was the Warley boys spurred on by focus, desire and disciplined that took hold in the middle of the park. On 15 minutes Sam S. played a sublime defence splitting pass on the right for Dan W. To run on to and score with a confident finish. Warley Boro 1 Phoenix Youth East 0. Warley continued to snuff the Phoenix midfield and dominate the play but without really threatening the Phoenix goal and the half finished Warley Boro 1 Phoenix Youth East 0.
At half time the Warley boys were in buoyant mood but it was clear that the lead was fragile. Coach Matt placed special emphasis on last week’s performance when heads went down after Phoenix scored. He explained that they had not won anything yet and if Phoenix scored that they were to continue to press hard and create the chances for the strikers.
So the scene was set for both teams. Phoenix made a tactical change and introduced a 4-3-3 formation. They were more physical in the middle of the park and when a long ball was sent over the Warley defence in the 49th minute Colm came running out and collided with the on rushing Phoenix forward in the box. The penalty was awarded and duly scored although Colm nearly made amends as he got a hand to the shot. Warley Boro 1 Phoenix Youth East 1.
Warley’s heads stayed aloft and they continued to encourage each other and play with the same passion which is aligned to the Warley badge. They pressed Phoenix’s back line with some great channel play which proved too much for the tiring defence. Controversy reigned high as the referee failed to spot Dan W. Effort cross the line in the 58th minute and then Junior’s shot was a whisker away from scoring in the 61st minute. The chances proved insignificant in the 66th minute as Warley took the lead when goal scorer turned provider and provider turned goal scorer. Dan W. Twisted and turned inside the box and then passed to Sam S whose shot hammered the back of the net and spark a ‘pile on’ like no other and end the scoring at Warley Boro 2 Phoenix Youth East 1.
Warley produced an outstanding performance to beat a very difficult team. Well done to every last one of you. This is YOUR team and YOUR era and we can’t wait to the final.
Who are we...................!!!!!
