The Phoenix progressed in the cup in a comfortable manner on a bright and brisk Sunday afternoon in Archway. The team lined up Dan - Dens, Treen, Luke, Antonio - Sumner, Nick, Wall, Miles – Fleshie, Muffdog.
Playing against a light wind and with the sun causing havoc to defending high balls, the Phoenix started slowly. Despite the 3-G surface being as true as they come, each and every player was guilty of taking too heavy a first touch and sustained possession was hard to come by. Samurai had a skilful striker and Treen and his new centre back partner Luke had to be on their toes to clear effectively. Gradually, as always, the team began to play football and turn the screw on their opponents.
Nick and the Wall began to dominate the midfield effectively, Nick winning every single header in the midfield and the Wall snapping at the heals of the opposition. With Muffdog working hard and Fleshie showing signs of breaking down the defence, the pressure finally told. It is not often that Treen takes two bites of anything, he is known in some circles for his ability to eat fruits and vegetables in one, Samurai let him have two bites of a Fleshie corner, first header not properly cleared – Samurai keeper all at sea, Treen forces it in 1-0 Gower.
The 2nd half saw a much more polished performance. The back four cleared well and the wide midfielders linked play well as the centre continued to dominate. Eventually Miles skipped through on the right after good harrying and scored his first Gower goal at the keepers near post, 2-0. This was an especially good effort considering that Miles had been hit by a car ten minutes before kick off, commitment indeed. Samurai began to fray, with 10 minutes to go Fleshie pushed down the left and lobbed the onrushing goalkeeper classily from the edge of the area, 3-0. Cue frantic Gower attacking including Sumner spraying a 50 yard diagonal pass to Fleshie. Then Dens broke down the left, tucked it to Fleshie whose teasing cross was turned in by a Samurai defender who choose to fall on his Samurai sword than let the oncoming Wall score his first of the season, 4-0 it ended.
So a good day at the office for the Phoenix. Dan was brave between the sticks as ever, Luke continues to grow into his role at centre-back and Nick and the Wall look like the teams best midfield combo. Ben and Antonio made solid débuts at right back. However we need to start quicker and ensure that against more clinical teams that no quarter is given in the first fifteen minutes of the game.
MOTM: Rob ‘Treeno’ Treen – A rock as ever at the back and always a danger from corners as he proved by adding to a ever increasing goal tally this season.
Rod ‘Hands’ Paley
