Gower Phoenix 0 Gower Allstars 5The Allstars put on a strong, skilful performance to comprehensively beat a determined Phoenix side that lacked an edge after the Xmas break.
Phoenix began the stronger of the two sides, keeping the ball and moving it across the pitch quite effectively, and the Allstars struggled to get a grip on the game until 15 mins in.
Then, the Allstars, started to use the speed and skill of their players to better effect. Durrant down the right, combined well with Botterill and Blandy upfront, and openings began to materialise.
3 or 4 good chances were wasted until some lovely skill from Botterill, beat his man in the box and from an angle finished nicely to make it 1-0 to Allstars.
Phoenix could have bounced back almost immediately from a intercepted cross from Glyn which was goal-bound, but a fantastic save from the Bison saved the day.
Allstars stepped up the tempo with the wind with, and the sun in the Phoenix eyes, with some strong dominant tackling from Ricky & Roger in the middle, and some solid communication and defensive work by the back four.
As the game progressed Botterill and Blandy looked more and more threatening upfront with their flicks, their skill and their pace, which continually troubled the Phoenix defence.
Eventually after 35 mins, Allstars then increased their lead with a fine curling shot on the edge of the box, from Blandy which found the corner of the net.
At 2-0, the Allstars could start to relax a bit and play some attractive football. Durrant stood out in the first half with his work rate both in defence and attack, and Botterill looked increasingly threatening.
And the only real chance for the Phoenix in the first half, came from a Bolu glancing header, which missed the post by a whisker.
2-0 half time and the Allstars knew that the Phoenix would come at them hard, and fast with the wind behind them.
Allstars rode the initial wave of pressure very well, and showed just how organised they can be, defensively, and how threatening they can be on the counter. Blandy and Botterill combined superbly every time they received the ball, and gave themselves the time and space to exploit the back four of Phoenix.
Jamie Paley also came more into the game at left midfield, keeping the ball excellently and he put in a couple of fine crosses which caused problems for Phoenix.
Allstars extended their lead further with another super finish from Blandy who bent and looped a shot over the keeper, to make it 3-0 Allstars, and from there, the Stars started to really play.
Using the width, and full backs to full effect, the one-two touch passing, was too good for the Phoenix, and more openings materialised.
Credit to Phoenix they battled on, and caused some problems for Allstars down the channels, such that it took a horrible challenge from Glyn, to stop the threat of Bolu pacing down the wing.
But Glyn and especially Byfield, held strong in the middle, keeping the Phoenix from any real chances.
Two further goals came, when great work from Botterill finished with a cross, which Blandy powered home from 10 yards, to give him his well deserved hatrick. The other, was a classic counter, after Glyn cleared a corner, and found Botterill in space down the left. A dangerous scenario for any defence. He skipped away 40 yards into the area, where it looked like he had over-run it, but no, a quick 360, onto his right foot, and bang, 5-0. Sublime skill.
And that really was the difference between the two sides – good solid organisation, and some proper skill that could beat a man and open up the game.
A great first win of 2009 and it needs to be continued with equal passion and commitment next week against Virgin in the league – same time, same place.
MOTM = Few contenders, Roger for filling in so well as the holding midfielder, Durrant for working down the right so effectivley, Botterill, for scoring and providing so consistently, but it has to go to Blandy, not only for scoring a hatrick but also for a great work rate and commitment shown. Now top scorer at the club with 8 league goals. Keep em coming O. Well done.
