Phoenix Team Spirit Cuts Tigers Teeth

Gower Phoenix – 3 London Tigers – 1

Gower Phoenix (4-4-2) Dan – Dens, Ell, Thompo, Wall – Aaron, Adam, Jon, Muffdog – Fleshie, Bolu

On a bright and barmy March morning the men of the Phoenix did themselves proud in a solid, in not sometimes scrappy, win over the joint league leaders. An early kick off at the school fields saw some worrying omens. Firstly Elliot, the keymaster, was delayed after a road traffic accident, Muffdog and Jon were delayed due to an explosion at Camden and Adam Lucas turned up without the kit, cue frenzied running around.

Eventually after a traditional Hanna dynamic session the team lined up 4-4-2 with Thompo coming back into the defence to fill in for the missing Treen, whose operation was a success and is currently on the road to recovery – hopefully in the next five weeks. Muffdog dropped into right midfield to allow Fleshie to return after several months out with injury.

Phoenix, perhaps partly due to the frenzied pre-match arrival, started somewhat slowly and the game was fragmented with messy breakdowns in the centre of the field. Soon both wingers found early space on the flanks and Adam Lucas flashed an early chance just wide of the post with his left foot. Tigers were competing well in the midfield but they were finding little success against an organised back four led commandingly by Thompo who had an excellent game throughout.

Decent work again in the middle saw Bolu skip through one on one half way through the half and the keeper did well to snatch the ball from the onrushing strikers feet. With Fleshie stretching the oppositions defence with his drift left, Bolu was allowed a free reign to constantly threaten the Tigers goal with a number of free kicks and half chances coming the Gowers way. One such free kick was flighted in by Dens onto Thompos diving header that lacked power enough to beat the keeper.

Eventually Gowers took a lead that reflected their hard work in hot conditions, and it was a gem. Decent work again from Bolu and Fleshie saw the ball come to Adam Lucas and on the half volley he finished with considerable aplomb, 1-0 Phoenix.

The second half saw more controlled possession from the team. One main lesson to come from the game was that when attacking Phoenix can afford to stretch and switch play instead of rushing the move. A patient build up followed by rapid finishing (quick, slow, quick) is much more effective. The second goal came after Bolu bulldozed into the area and quick stepped his way around the Tigers defence passing to Lucas who was crudely hacked down, he stepped up to coolly slot his second and make it 2-0.

Despite holding a frosty line against the Tigers nimble forwards and following a superb blocking save from the out-rushing Dan, the Tigers pulled one back with a one on one from a clearly offside striker, 2-1 with 10 minutes to go and the pressure was on in this crucial league six-pointer. The Phoenix kept their head, Muffdog had a pile-driver scooped away by the keeper and after good work by Aaron on the left Fleshie curled home a sweet finish to secure the three points.

So the Phoenix march on. Really good team effort this one. We have it all in our own hands to win Division Two at the first time of asking and with a semi-final to look forward to and a good showing in the MA cup this is proving to be a memorable season. However we have not won anything yet and must stick together and continue to work hard for every minute of every game.

MOTM – Really tight call after excellent performances from Thompo at the back and Bolu up front. Going to have to go for Adam Lucas though, decisive goals at decisive moments, if only he could improve his general timekeeping…