Muffdog and Hanna Show Dumps Samurai Out of Cup

Gower Phoenix – 6 British Samurai – 3


Gower Phoenix 4-4-2: Greg – Dens, Wall, Treen, Luke – Miles, Bolu, Lucas (Fleshie), Muffdog – Jamie.P (Medders), Jon Hanna

A slick and entertaining 2nd half show saw Gower Phoenix progress into the Divisonal Cup quarter finals at the expense of a plucky Samurai team who don’t deserve to be bottom of the whole league.

The team gave a proper first match for striker Jamie Paley and saw Lucas and Luke return after spells out.


In windy conditions at Market road Phoenix started slow allowing pressure to build as players opted for blind hoofing rather than considered passing. As soon as Phoenix began to pass the ball and work in partnerships across the pitch we looked a much better team. Hanna’s strength was causing problems for Samurai and Bolu’s running was dangerous. The first goal came from a 30 metres-out cross from the Wall that caught the small Samurai keeper off his line, 1-0.

Phoenix were then hit back almost immediately as one of the Samurai strikers (making his first appearance for the team), beat four Phoenix players before shooting past Greg, 1-1.

Cue a disjointed period of the game during which Phoenix struggled to convert good possession into chances. Lucas snapped too quickly at a couple of efforts when well placed and Jamie was unlucky not to score when put through one-on-one. Treen came close with a couple of headers from corners and Bolu maybe should have done better in the last move of the game when he fired a Dens cross against the keeper.

Second half and one came Fleshie and Medders, Hanna moved in centre midfield and immediately was floored with a bash to the nose – the opposition player had to go off injured – cut Hanna he bleeds Phoenix red and comes back meaner and better. Possession and distribution improved and good Hanna-Medders interchange allowed Fleshie to finish into an empty net, 2-1.

More pressure following a corner saw Muffdog score the goal of the game scooping the ball in from outside the area, 3-1. Gowers were rampant and with both fullbacks overlapping well a counterattack allowed Treen to finish into an empty net, 4-1.

The team then went to sleep allowing Samurai to bundle home after the Wall had cleared off the line, 4-2. Then followed a nervy five minute spell of wave after wave of Samurai attack repelled well by Luke in particular. Then Dens fought for possession and played Medders in over the top. The deadliest striker in the Camden Musical Association finished classily. 5-2.

Samurai scored a 25m long range effort that caught Greg off his line before Medders calmed nerve with another good finish after pace and power saw him break free on the left. 6-3.

So three games to go to win this cup – Defensively we need to improve but going forward we’re looking good for it. Am away for next weeks revenge match against Groucho but am sure every Phoenix player will do the team proud.

Together as one,

Dens

MOTM: Muffdog, narrowly edging his midfield partner Hanna – full of running and a spectacular strike rounds off a good day at the office.