Phoenix Report
( 4-5-1 Allister – Dens, Jo, Treen, Luke – Andy, Miles, Bradley, Lucas, Chris – Jon Hanna)A spirited Gower Phoenix pushed the champions a long way in a spirited Gower Cup / league encounter at Regents Park.
Phoenix started brightly and looked dangerous on the flanks, in the first 3 minutes good work from Lucas and Jo saw Miles cross dangerously from the right – the ball arced across the Allstars 6-yard area and was headed in by Glyn for an O.G. 1-0.
Allstars dominated possession but were unable to find a way through, Luke Hill and Jo Paley in particular repelled attack after attack. Phoenix looked to hit Allstars on the counter attack, Dens set Lucas up for a stinging right foot effort that was palmed over by Rod, the ensuing corner headed just wide by Treen. Jon Hanna then was adjudged offside after latching onto a Miles through ball.
Phoenix were looking organized and good for their lead. Chris the holding midfielder fitting into gaps created by Allstars probing. Then just before ½ time a speculative long range effort from Johnny was not held by Allister and Medley gobbled up the rebound to make it 1-1 at ½ time.
The second ½ saw Toby brought onto the left wing. Glyn left the field with a head injury after running into Jon Hanna’s elbow and Tom Byfield moved into centre back. Phoenix were struggling to get a handle on possession in midfield and a surging run from Medley was halted by a Treen tug. The resulting free kick took a massive deflection and then was in for 2-1 Allstars.
Then perhaps the moment of the game, a scuffle in the area and the ball was adjudged to cross the Phoenix line, despite Allister just hitting the side netting with his hand and the Allstars players being offside – 3-1 and all uphill for Phoenix after a terrible decision.
Phoenix struck back after more hard work from Hanna saw Rod out of his area and allowed Lucas to stroke home to make it 3-2. Then Allstars scored 2 sloppy goals as Phoenix tired. Lucas rifled home to make it 5-3 but the game was won.
Low points of the game were Ricky trying to get Treen booked for shirt pulling despite constant complaining about being sent off a fortnight before. Also some of Tom Byfield’s slide tackling was appalling including almost breaking Jon Hanna’s foot and Toby’s leg with a savage tackle from behind.
Allstars deserved the win though, tireless running from Mike and Tim up front, calm defending from Ossack and effective football played by Johnny and Oli D on the flanks. Phoenix can take some heart from holding Allstars for virtually the entire first ½ - there is a need to control possession more effectively in the second ½ though - Phoenix very much a work in progress with exciting future prospects in store.
MOTM – Jo Paley – dynamic and assured performance from Phoenix’s most versatile player.
