10 Men Phoenix Lose Out Again To Groucho

20-Jan 08

Phoenix 0 – 2 Groucho

A very frustrating afternoon for Phoenix ended in defeat, as for the second time this season they were down to 10 men against Groucho.

It wasn’t a vintage phoenix display but despite the absence of several key players, Gowers created a number of very good chances. Muffdog & Jon Hanna battled hard in the centre of the park against a packed 5 man Groucho midfield &, although never really dominating possession enough, Phoenix looked dangerous, with a series of chances that would have been buried on another day. The Gower team rarely looked troubled at the back but ultimately failed to make the strong wind count and went in 0-0 at half time.

Second half and Groucho had the advantage with the wind at their backs and pushed on, but the Gower back 4 looked comfortable & Groucho struggled to carve out a chance of note, with Gower looking more dangerous on the break. Joe Paley replaced his brother Jamie 10 mins into the 2nd half and fleshie moved to left wing. Soon after, a shot from the edge of the box was dipping over the Groucho keeper, who stumbled as the ball came back off the bar and, following a goalmouth scramble, was stabbed home by Lucas… only for the ref to inexplicably disallow the goal for a (phantom) foul on the keeper.

Having had a perfectly good goal denied them, Gowers luck further deteriorated when Luke pulled a muscle in his neck on 65 mins and Gowers were forced down to 10 men as they had no more subs. This was just the boost Groucho needed and eventually their tall striker found the space for an (admittedly excellent) low strike past Greg. 0-1.

A man down and playing into the wind, Gowers struggled to get back in to the game but did make some good chances to equalize with Lucas coming close and then Joe Paley being denied by a good save.

With 5 mins to play a wayward pass was latched onto by the Groucho striker who again struck it sweetly home. 0-2. Gutted.

At the end of the day, to coin a phrase, Gowers can play much better than this but have also won playing much worse. Groucho played fairly well & are a good, hard working team but ultimately a combination of some poor refereeing & the misfortune of going down to ten men with it being one of those days when we couldn’t put away any of a large number of chances cost us dear.

Well done to all that played in what was a tough match, especially to the Paley brothers & to El Moore & Russ who put in a strong 90 mins.

Other results in the league (Northern defeat, Mixer draw) leave it all still quite open but these are still games we should be winning.

MOTM – the Treen – Immense in the Air and typically commanding at the back.