Gower Phoenix 6 Clissold Thistle 0 - Div Cup Quarters - Sun 25th Feb
A convincing 6-0 victory over Clissold Thistle sees Gower Phoenix progress to the semi-final of the divisional cup – 1 game away from a potential final vs Gower All Stars!
Following a last minute change of plans due to adverse weather, Phoenix had an early meet for a 10am kick off at Westway Sports centre. With several regulars unavailable, the starting lineup featured several debutants:
Greg John;Elliot, Luke, Treeno, Alex Wright;Miles, Lucas, Layton©, Aaron Stone; Jake, Mark Boulos.
On the slick 3G Westway surface, Phoenix knew the opportunity was there to play football. However, the first 10mins was a fairly messy affair with Clissold’s determined route 1 football, though not causing the Gowers too many problems defensively, making it difficult to get the ball down & play. Soon, however Phoenix’ class begin to win out. Clissold were a big & physical team but it was the Gower players who were winning the ball in the air - Layton & Lucas began to dominate in the middle. There were several promising moves as the ball was spread to the wings with new boy Alex W & Elliot supporting Aaron (another debutant) & Miles well. About 15 mins in, a smart long throw from Alex found Lucas in the box, who turned neatly & buried the ball bottom left… 1-0. Gowers continued to dominate & started playing some good football through the middle, working the ball out wide, where Miles in particular was constant threat – linking well with Jake & getting to the byline to cross. Despite almost total domination, Gowers 2nd goal was a while in coming but following a good move down the right flank & some classy interplay, a powerful burst of pace from Boulos saw him pop up to score a well taken debut goal. For the remainder of the half Gowers played their best football & another move down the right saw miles pick out Layton on the edge of the box who scored with a low & hard left foot shot under the keeper & the gowers went in at half time with a deserved 3-0 lead.
Clissold started the 2nd half strongly – working hard to get back into the game but creating little to trouble the imperious Treen & Luke at the back. With Clissold chasing the game, Phoenix were a constant threat on the break & had several half chances, forcing a string of corners – from one of which, Adam Lucas scored his second of the game – a well taken goal to give the Gowers a commanding 4-0 lead. To be fare to them, Clissold didn’t give up but all the threat came from the phoenix. With the introduction of new boy Bolu Olefunwa up front in place of Aaron (with Jake moving to Left Mid), Gowers had another pacy striker up top to trouble the struggling Clissold defence. Lucas hit the post with a well taken freekick & Layton had a blatant penalty appeal turned down before a good move down the left found miles in the centre, who finished a confidently down to the keeper’s left – an excellent & thoroughly deserved goal. Bolu, who’d looked a constant threat since his introduction, rounded off the scoring with a peach of a goal – beating his marker & slamming the ball into the roof of the net.
On the whole a very assured performance. Clissold are one of the weaker teams in the league but they are physical & determined, if lacking class, and on the day even they themselves admitted that they were overpowered & outplayed by Phoenix. The only downer was a late knee injury to defensive rock Treen following a crude challenge. Treen was typically immense throughout & v. unfortunate to be limping off a few mins before time – we all hope it’s nothing serious.
Well done to all who played & in particular to the new Boys: Greg – very assured between the sticksAlex – a strong debut performance at LB & played some lovely football out of defence.Aaron –made some excellent runs down the left & worked v. hard for the team.Bolu & Mark Boulos – Pacy & threatening - both scored impressive debut goals.
Special mention to Adam Lucas for a good performance capped by a well-taken brace.
MOTM – Miles Raybold: superb throughout, a constant threat down the right – involved in most of the Gowers’ best moves & chipped in with a fine goal too.
Following a last minute change of plans due to adverse weather, Phoenix had an early meet for a 10am kick off at Westway Sports centre. With several regulars unavailable, the starting lineup featured several debutants:
Greg John;Elliot, Luke, Treeno, Alex Wright;Miles, Lucas, Layton©, Aaron Stone; Jake, Mark Boulos.
On the slick 3G Westway surface, Phoenix knew the opportunity was there to play football. However, the first 10mins was a fairly messy affair with Clissold’s determined route 1 football, though not causing the Gowers too many problems defensively, making it difficult to get the ball down & play. Soon, however Phoenix’ class begin to win out. Clissold were a big & physical team but it was the Gower players who were winning the ball in the air - Layton & Lucas began to dominate in the middle. There were several promising moves as the ball was spread to the wings with new boy Alex W & Elliot supporting Aaron (another debutant) & Miles well. About 15 mins in, a smart long throw from Alex found Lucas in the box, who turned neatly & buried the ball bottom left… 1-0. Gowers continued to dominate & started playing some good football through the middle, working the ball out wide, where Miles in particular was constant threat – linking well with Jake & getting to the byline to cross. Despite almost total domination, Gowers 2nd goal was a while in coming but following a good move down the right flank & some classy interplay, a powerful burst of pace from Boulos saw him pop up to score a well taken debut goal. For the remainder of the half Gowers played their best football & another move down the right saw miles pick out Layton on the edge of the box who scored with a low & hard left foot shot under the keeper & the gowers went in at half time with a deserved 3-0 lead.
Clissold started the 2nd half strongly – working hard to get back into the game but creating little to trouble the imperious Treen & Luke at the back. With Clissold chasing the game, Phoenix were a constant threat on the break & had several half chances, forcing a string of corners – from one of which, Adam Lucas scored his second of the game – a well taken goal to give the Gowers a commanding 4-0 lead. To be fare to them, Clissold didn’t give up but all the threat came from the phoenix. With the introduction of new boy Bolu Olefunwa up front in place of Aaron (with Jake moving to Left Mid), Gowers had another pacy striker up top to trouble the struggling Clissold defence. Lucas hit the post with a well taken freekick & Layton had a blatant penalty appeal turned down before a good move down the left found miles in the centre, who finished a confidently down to the keeper’s left – an excellent & thoroughly deserved goal. Bolu, who’d looked a constant threat since his introduction, rounded off the scoring with a peach of a goal – beating his marker & slamming the ball into the roof of the net.
On the whole a very assured performance. Clissold are one of the weaker teams in the league but they are physical & determined, if lacking class, and on the day even they themselves admitted that they were overpowered & outplayed by Phoenix. The only downer was a late knee injury to defensive rock Treen following a crude challenge. Treen was typically immense throughout & v. unfortunate to be limping off a few mins before time – we all hope it’s nothing serious.
Well done to all who played & in particular to the new Boys: Greg – very assured between the sticksAlex – a strong debut performance at LB & played some lovely football out of defence.Aaron –made some excellent runs down the left & worked v. hard for the team.Bolu & Mark Boulos – Pacy & threatening - both scored impressive debut goals.
Special mention to Adam Lucas for a good performance capped by a well-taken brace.
MOTM – Miles Raybold: superb throughout, a constant threat down the right – involved in most of the Gowers’ best moves & chipped in with a fine goal too.
posted by Gower FC @ 5:29 AM
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