Slick Phoenix Gain Revenge On Sorry Northern

Northern – 1 Gower Phoenix – 4

Gower Phoenix (4-4-2) Greg – Dens, Wall, Luke, Miles - Bolu, Dave B, Muffdog, Adam Lucas – Fleshie, Mike K

Revenge was sweet for the men of the Phoenix as a professional and polished display saw them overcome a Northern team that had overcome them 7-1 three weeks previously.

The team was balanced perfectly on a sunny day on a true surface at Market road. Yet once again Phoenix showed they were slow starters, allowing a corner from the right to be flicked on past the despairing Dens and Greg to allow Northern to take the lead in the first minute. The response was immediate.

Dave B went close right away before a minute later good passing and movement from Bolu, Fleshie and Mike allowed the talented winger to force the ball home to make it 1-1. Dave then had a decent shout for a penalty turned down in a 50/50 challenge with the keeper.

Phoenix began to take the ascendancy with Lucas pulling the strings in midfield and Muffdog working tirelessly tackling in the defensive midfield hole. With Luke and the Wall looking increasingly assured in the very physical contest against Northern’s stirkers the full backs began to link well with their wingers. Miles and Bolu especially impressed and once again a good work rate to win the ball combined with intelligent passing to set Bolu free on the right wing, what happened next was outstanding as Bolu danced his way around the Northern defence and finished into an open goal, 2-1 Phoenix.

With Greg growing in statue with every Phoenix game the confidence in the team began to flow. Mike Kelly turned well and blasted just over and Muffdog had several shots from range. Phoenix almost made it three when Lucas just failed to get a touch onto a wicked Dens cross. Just before the break Phoenix got a deserved third as Fleshie broke the offside trap to coolly slot home. 3-1.

The second half saw the Phoenix withstand some sustained pressure with last ditch tackles flying in and Fleshie popping up to clear the ball from the goal line. Yet Northern couldn’t breach the maroon and black lines and Jon Hanna’s introduction as a centre back for the injured Luke kept the momentum on Phoenix’s side. Lucas missed a one on one after being put through by Dens and Bolu again went close. Eventually the counter attack paid off for the Phoenix as Lucas went through one on one and finished with aplomb.

So 4-1 against one of the top teams in our league. It is looking like a 3 horse race and to beat Northern twice puts us in a good position to win this league in the first time of asking. With Nick Thompson, Treen, Alex Wright, Ell, Toby, Sumner, De’ath and Aaron all coming back and Stotty and Jabiz still to make their mark the season is developing well.

Stay focused Phoenix.

MOTM: The Whole Team – Top performances all round