Best Phoenix Performance Yet
Gower Phoenix 8 Virgin NME 1
Gower Phoenix (4-4-2) Allister – Dens, Freddy, Bradley, Jamie Wood – Miles, Jo Paley, Rob, Lucas – Bolu, Toby
Phoenix stepped up a level on Sunday producing their best performance of the season to blow away a shell-shocked Virgin side that is currently second in the league.
There were plenty of enforced team changes – a lack of traditional centre backs saw Jamie Wood and Bradley step up to the plate – Phoenix would not be disappointed. Meanwhile Miles came back onto the left wing and Rob started his first game in the centre midfield alongside Lucas.
Phoenix struck in the first five minutes when out of nothing Jo Paley stole the ball from their left wing, drove forward and smashed a driven lob over the Virgin keeper from over thirty yards out. It was a goal that would not have looked out of place in a Premiership goal of the month competition – perfection.
Paley’s moment of genius encouraged a confidence Phoenix to start playing football and everything started from the back four who had the confidence to pass along the line and link play from the back. Phoenix kept up the pressure forcing several corners and Bolu having a couple of efforts well blocked. Suddenly it was 2-0 when good link up play between Jo and Freddy and pressure from Toby saw a cross deflected in for an own goal. More Phoenix pressure saw Toby purposefully divert a Paley shot into the other corner 3-0.
Just before half time and decent work on the left with short pinpoint passing saw Miles smash home to make it 4-0, then just before the whistle Virgin gave themselves a lifeline with a 30 yard corkscrew shot that just alluded Allister. 4-1 at half time.
Phoenix knew they had to step up a gear and countered early Virgin pressue. Bradley was clearing his lines well and Jamie Wood winning header after header. Meanwhile Rob was looking excellent in the middle, linking with Lucas well and keeping possession for the men of the Phoenix.
After a spell of Virgin pressure Phoenix began to threaten on the break and eventually Toby skipped past a couple of challenges after good work from Lucas, Miles and Bolu to make it 5-1. Like Phoenix of the past Virgin heads when down and Phoenix roared forward. Miles finishing excellently and Lucas getting another to make it 7-1. Goal of the day was left to Bolu – a flowing move that saw almost every member of the side take a touch then saw a one-two between Toby and Miles and Toby crossing from Bolu to slide it in 8-1 – fantastic.
Even then Freddy was still sliding into 50/50’s as the Phoenix looked a changed team from September 2008. We know that playing football and keeping our heads (and our confidence) up is the key for Phoenix and we also know that we have the quality to stay in this league. Massive game next week against C@G but we should go into it with no fear and this was a magnificent display.
If we keep work ethnic and stay together as a team we can stay up and go on next season to do great things.
Well done.
Men of the Match
Jamie Wood and James Bradley – unruffled and excellent ball playing centre backs – Jamie Wood had even lit a cigar in the second half despite decent Virgin forwards.
Gower Phoenix (4-4-2) Allister – Dens, Freddy, Bradley, Jamie Wood – Miles, Jo Paley, Rob, Lucas – Bolu, Toby
Phoenix stepped up a level on Sunday producing their best performance of the season to blow away a shell-shocked Virgin side that is currently second in the league.
There were plenty of enforced team changes – a lack of traditional centre backs saw Jamie Wood and Bradley step up to the plate – Phoenix would not be disappointed. Meanwhile Miles came back onto the left wing and Rob started his first game in the centre midfield alongside Lucas.
Phoenix struck in the first five minutes when out of nothing Jo Paley stole the ball from their left wing, drove forward and smashed a driven lob over the Virgin keeper from over thirty yards out. It was a goal that would not have looked out of place in a Premiership goal of the month competition – perfection.
Paley’s moment of genius encouraged a confidence Phoenix to start playing football and everything started from the back four who had the confidence to pass along the line and link play from the back. Phoenix kept up the pressure forcing several corners and Bolu having a couple of efforts well blocked. Suddenly it was 2-0 when good link up play between Jo and Freddy and pressure from Toby saw a cross deflected in for an own goal. More Phoenix pressure saw Toby purposefully divert a Paley shot into the other corner 3-0.
Just before half time and decent work on the left with short pinpoint passing saw Miles smash home to make it 4-0, then just before the whistle Virgin gave themselves a lifeline with a 30 yard corkscrew shot that just alluded Allister. 4-1 at half time.
Phoenix knew they had to step up a gear and countered early Virgin pressue. Bradley was clearing his lines well and Jamie Wood winning header after header. Meanwhile Rob was looking excellent in the middle, linking with Lucas well and keeping possession for the men of the Phoenix.
After a spell of Virgin pressure Phoenix began to threaten on the break and eventually Toby skipped past a couple of challenges after good work from Lucas, Miles and Bolu to make it 5-1. Like Phoenix of the past Virgin heads when down and Phoenix roared forward. Miles finishing excellently and Lucas getting another to make it 7-1. Goal of the day was left to Bolu – a flowing move that saw almost every member of the side take a touch then saw a one-two between Toby and Miles and Toby crossing from Bolu to slide it in 8-1 – fantastic.
Even then Freddy was still sliding into 50/50’s as the Phoenix looked a changed team from September 2008. We know that playing football and keeping our heads (and our confidence) up is the key for Phoenix and we also know that we have the quality to stay in this league. Massive game next week against C@G but we should go into it with no fear and this was a magnificent display.
If we keep work ethnic and stay together as a team we can stay up and go on next season to do great things.
Well done.
Men of the Match
Jamie Wood and James Bradley – unruffled and excellent ball playing centre backs – Jamie Wood had even lit a cigar in the second half despite decent Virgin forwards.
posted by Gower FC @ 3:38 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home