Bolu Stunner Heaps Misery on Lions As Phoenix March On

Longwall Lions-0 Gower Phoenix-6

Gower Phoenix (4-4-2) Dan – Dens, Wall, Alex, Ell – Muffdog, Hanna, Lucas, Miles – Bolu, Fleshie

Away against an unbeaten team with the best defensive record in the league, one may have expected that Sunday’s game could have been a speed-bump in Gower Phoenix’s relentless pursuit of a league and cup double. It was not and a combination of spectacular goals with controlled possession saw the team march on with their forth win in a row during which time the team has scored twenty-one and conceded only three.

Phoenix lined up with two changes from the previous weeks victory over the Tigers; Alex replaced Thompo at centre back and Miles replaced Aaron on the right flank with Muffdog moving across to the left.

In windy, cold and variable conditions the Phoenix started slowly taking time to move through the gears and find a passing rhythm. However it was not long before Bolu broke down the right wing delivering a dangerous cross that the skilful Fleshie controlled before striking into the left hand corner of the net from inside the area, 1-0 Phoenix.

Crucial to the teams learning curve was the more patient build-up in attacking play, which, when combined with neat passing across the back four, stretched the opposition allowing space for Phoenix attackers as well as forcing errors on the oppositions part. A foul on the left on Muffdog (who was marked by a guy called Muff – leading to a dramatic muff on muff battle) allowed Dens to step up and send in a dangerous teasing exocet-like cross into the box that Adam Lucas managed to get a foot to, diverting it past the keeper to make it 2-0 to the Phoenix.

Then goal of the game: Route one from Dan was laid off by Fleshie to an onrushing Bolu who from 30 yards out curled a powerful effort into the top right of the goal, it was a fantastic strike and fully deserved following the strikers efforts in recent weeks, 3-0 at half time to the Phoenix with Lions having no luck going forward with the Wall and Alex shutting the door quickly on the opposition’s strikers.

Phoenix would be playing into a strong wind and hail in the second half and were determined not to allow Lions back into the game. The team, with Jake replacing Elliot at right back, began to play increasingly intelligent passing football with long phases of play seeing total possession. The attacking potency was still there, more good work from Bolu and Miles on the right saw a cross tucked away by Fleshie to make it 4-0 and take the strikers toll up to 14.

Then Muffdog hit a long range effort which spanked off the crossbar like a crushing blow from Thor’s hammer, only to bounce clear with the keeper beaten. Lucas curled on a peach of a free-kick to make it 5-0 and with the Lions tamed, Hanna was allowed to drive into the box and finish well to make it a 6-0 whitewash of a team that had previously conceded only nine goals in the league.

Good game, clean sheet, great goals – yet you feel that more is to come from the team as we enter the last six or so week of the season. Next week we are away against bottom of the table Thistle and in a fortnight we play at home against London Cricketers for a place in the cup final – bring it on.

MOTM – Bolu: Strong running, excellent work-rate and a contender for goal of the season.