Gower Phoenix See Off Allstars to Claim Gower Cup

Gower Phoenix – 2 Gower Allstars – 1

Gower Phoenix (4-4-2) Davies – Dens, Ell, Wall, Luke – Aaron, Jake, Muffdog, Jon – Bolu, Fleshie

Gower Allstars (4-4-2) Renton – Howie, Ossack/Gladis, Steif/Mitch, Loro – Street, Duggan, Russ, Oli – Medders, Kelly/Owen

On a sunny morning on the lush 3G at Whittington park, Gower Phoenix overcame Gower Allstars in a tight and often physical contest to secure the Gower Cup. At the end of a long and successful season both teams were missing players – for Allstars skipper Phil’s toe had not recovered from the Red Star final and Gladis did not last long after aggravating a groin injury. Phoenix were missing Lucas, Miles, Thompo, Alex Wright and Dan O’Hagan.

The size and ability of the squad on show was a testimony to the new level that the club has found itself on this season. The competitive side of the game quickly surfaced with Jake and Duggan tangling as both sides looked to secure an early advantage. The strength of the Phoenix caused problems throughout with the power of Hanna and Bolu forcing a number of early corners. Muffdog played his first full 90 minutes as a defensive midfielder and proved tenacious and dynamic up against the consistently strong Streety.

The transformation of Luke Hill from centre forward to centre back continued with the big man winning big headers alongside the ever present harrying of the Wall. Yet his strikers instinct is still there, a Phoenix corner from the right was not properly cleared and from just inside the box Luke hit a sweet shot that powered into the net to make it 1-0.

Allstars player of the season Ossack then arrived to add steel to the back four. More steel was shown by Phoenix player of the season Hanna whose drive and quick feet were causing the Allstars plenty of problems. Aaron had his best game on the left flank and combined well with Dens who then had a toe poked effort saved by Renton. Meanwhile the Phoenix had to be constantly aware of the quick feet of Medders and the power of Kelly but with the reassuring presence of Jon Davies they were seldom troubled in the first half.

Indeed despite the heat and Allstars policy of sub rotating, Phoenix went into the half time huddle 1-0 up.

Despite Duggan’s words to the contrary there was no half time back slapping from the Phoenix who knew they had a long 45 minutes ahead of them in the energy sapping heat. Allstars gained the ascendancy in the first 10 minutes of the half – Streets ceaseless energy and better movement from the Allstars forwards causing the Phoenix problems in holding down any form of possession.

That said Phoenix had a great chance to make it 2-0 when Jon Hanna blasted a shot over the bar after excellent work from Bolu and Fleshie. Allstars regrouped and hit back after Phoenix struggled to clear the ball a Ossack cross was headed in by Russ after Luke just missed out on the header – 1-1.

Allstars then looked to push home the advantage and the Phoenix were under pressure from a series of Medders runs although one dive and altercation with Davies later the pressure eased somewhat as the prolific striker seemed to have picked up an injury.

Then with 10 minutes or so to play Muffdog played in Bolu whose first shot was saved by Renton who couldn’t stop the rebound being tapped in by the Phoenix striker – 2-1 to Phoenix.

And 2-1 it finished – a superb effort by the Phoenix against an excellent Allstars team. The squad was the biggest winner however, as reflected in the camaraderie found in the Landseer afterwards.

Men of the Match – Muffdog and Hill: Top efforts from both players.