Wright Uses His Head to Lead Phoenix to Victory

Clissold Thistle 0 Gower Phoenix 3

(League Match)

Gower Phoenix (4-4-2) Dan – Dens, Wall, Alex W, Ell – Thompo, Jake, Adam, Vic – Muffdog, Toby

A fragmented Phoenix effort overcame a plucky Thistle side on a windy Sunday at Hackney Marshes. The Phoenix side saw a return from tricky striker Toby, complete with brand new white boots, Alice-banded Jake replaced Jon Hanna in midfield and Ell’s housemate Vic managed to stand in on the right wing at last minute to cover for the number of withdrawals that saw both Miles and Sam out with injury.

With Thompo lost in central London, the game kicked off with 10 Phoenix against 9 Thistle and despite dominating in numbers the teams passing was rushed and often unguided on a extremely uneven (i.e. typical) Hackney pitch. Lucas had two bites of an early Dens corner from the right heading into a defender and then shooting just wide. Just before the Thistle went up to 11 men a corner from the left from Lucas was met perfectly by Alex Wright to put the Phoenix up 1-0 slightly against the run to play.

With 11 against 10 Thistle pushed forward and the midfields inability to sit on possession saw a number of direct runs against the defence with O’Hagan having to marshal covering defenders as the Gowers were stretched. Toby showed what he can do by dribbling all the way through to the by-line – driving inside and cutting the ball back to Muffdog who finished, however the Ref ruled it out claiming that the ball had gone out – not so.

Vic, on his impromptu first Phoenix game, was throwing himself into headers and working good moves down the right with Muffdog. Thompo’s arrival added balance to the Phoenix who were thankful for Dan for clearing well from a series of corners. Then Dens tackled on the touchline and hit a through pass that put Toby in one on one, how the pitch and perhaps the glare on his boots saw the chance skied. With one minute till half time Thistle got a sucker punch as another corner from the left was crossed in by Lucas and headed in by Alex, exactly the same goal. Genius.

2-0 at half time and after promises to improve possession and control of the game, the 2nd half saw a much improved Phoenix display. Jake and Lucas’s range of passing and level of accuracy improved and the wing backs provided a width that allowed for effective switches of play with several surging runs from Dens and Ell causing Thistle problems.

The defence worked hard and covered itself well, and steadily the midfield began to dominate the game, although chances were fewer. Eventually pressure on the right saw a teasing Muffdog cross excellently converted by a Thistle defender to make it 3-0. However the combination of wind, pitch and wayward finishing saw that score through until the end.

Another league win, slightly ugly at times, but with a number of players out we can be happy enough to emerge from the Marshes where many a Gower team of the past has been bogged down.
Next Sunday sees Phoenix play in the Semi’s versus London Cricketers, who are there for the taking, can all Phoenix players move heaven and earth to ensure their availability!

MOTM: Alex Wright – Fast becoming a indispensable part of the team, calm on the ball and deadly in the air.