MA Cup: Submarine 2 Gower Phoenix 2 (Submarine win 6-5 on penalties)

This has to go down as the most disappointing Phoenix result of the season so far. Another cup exit on sudden death penalties, but this time against a team that we should have easily beaten in normal time.

Phoenix lined up 4-4-2: Rod – Dens, Treen, Hill, Antonio – Ben, Gladis, Wall, Jake – Jon, Fleshie

On a gusty Sunday morning Phoenix had the wind on our side and pushed forward with early purpose. Less than five minutes in and Dens broke through two tackles and shot just wide, then the Wall shot from distance and the keeper spilled his shot to a prowling Fleshie who finished coolly, 1-0 Phoenix.

Submarine were causing little problems to the defence and the midfield were winning most challenges and were quickest in the breakdown. Jake enjoyed a solid first start at right mid and Ben Perry did a solid job in the unfamiliar left mid position following an injury to Nick Thompson in the warm up.

Twenty minutes in and Gower made it 2-0, a long clearance from Dens was fought for by Jon who used his strength to win the ball before lobbing the keeper expertly. Gower continued to push, Wall shot just wide, Gladis had a free kick come close and Jon has a goal disallowed after a fair shoulder to shoulder challenge.

2-0 at half time and the team vowed to keep up the pressure in the 2nd half. Sadly things were not to be. Submarine pulled one back early on, a free kick from their right moved in the air and Treen could not get his head properly to it, heading it instead beyond Rod to make it 2-1. Submarine grew in confidence and Gower struggled to effectively clear their lines as the wind made things hard.

As the squad has a number of players playing two games on came Oli, Glyn and Tim from the allstars to replace Wall, Fleshie and Treen. Then with five minutes to go a free right eluded the defence and allowed a flick home to draw Submarine level. Tim missed a sitter as Gower struggled, with Jake and Gladis both carrying injuries in the final moments. Full time, 2-2.

Penalties and Glyn, Tim, Oli, Jon and Dens converted as did their Submarine counterparts, but Luke scooped it over the bar in sudden death and Phoenix were out on penalties once more.

So a lesson hopefully learnt in the importance of taking chances when they arise and the dangers of not being able to effectively hold a lead in the 2nd half. Next week sees the team play Good Mixer in the league and we need to bounce right back and prove our team character.

MOTM: The Wall – Strong in tackle, clever passing and one or two good efforts at goal.