Phoenix Reborn – Match and Season Report
Red Star 1 Gower Phoenix 0Gower Phoenix (4-4-2) Mike K – Dens (Ell 60’), Wall, Jon Selbie, Jamie W – Chris (Russ 65’), Miles, Rob, Jamie – Jules, Jon H
An extremely close game was edged by a Red Star headed goal with less than twenty minutes to play which sealed this entertaining game.
Phoenix had some excellent chances in both halves – Jules and Rob going close with shots in the first – Jules also having a good shout for a penalty that wasn’t given. The defence held strong and cleared its lines well with support from the midfield. Jon and Jamie W won most direct Red Star balls and on the one or two occasions we did get caught out Mike Kelly made some outstanding saves.
The second ½ was much the same – Jules and Jon H linked up really well and came within a whisker of scoring. Red Star scored a decently worked move ending in a header – but the score line really should have been 1-1 after a great Phoenix move saw a Jules cross side footed just wide by Rob. Close but no cigar and Allstars play a massive game against Red Star this Sunday.
Season Review 2008/09
It is a testament to the development and improvement of the Phoenix team that the first and last games of its season were played against Red Star at dramatically different standards. The opening game of the season was a 9-0 humiliation, whereas the Phoenix side that played its first game in two months yesterday could have easily walked away with 1 or 3 points.
Excellent new additions to the squad have been made.
Rob in the midfield is a player of rare technique and skill – at one point in the first half a long ball was taken down on his first touch, played across to his other foot and passed on – all in one movement – genius.
Alongside him in the midfield Jamie (who hopefully will be with us next season) possessing a fantastic engine and who rarely picks the wrong ball. Strong at both centre mid and defence – he is an important player for the future.
A late season welcome to Jules – up front or on the left – who is a constant menace with strength and pace combined with direct running – his link up next season (when he is around permanently) with Bolu, Toby and Jon H represents a new potent Phoenix attack.
Both Jamie Wood and James Bradley (absent yesterday due to Marathon training) have proved consistent and flexible players of a high quality. Jamie started the season up front, played most of it at left midfield and ended at centre back – where he bravely took on Red Star with no shin pads yesterday. His brace of goals against the Allstars in the Camden Champions League victory will always be a highlight of a season in which he has become an indispensible member of the team.
Likewise James Bradley – always full of energy and a terrier in the tackle – Bradley’s performances from centre-mid to right/centre back have always been good. He has hit the ground running having missed pre-season and will only get better – we all look forward to his first goal for the club!!
In between the sticks Phoenix have found one of the burliest keepers on the circuit – Allister Fowler came in against Allstars and instantly had one of the best games I’ve seen a keeper have at this level. Next season with a pre-season under his belt and perhaps slightly less kicking from Treen and Dens (+more padding), I’m confident that Phoenix will have the best keeper in the league.
Chris – who is about to bugger off to Australia for a year – enjoyed his first season moving around the pitch with appearances at centre-mid/back and right mid – good on the ball he scored a great goal against C@G in the relegation play off.
Competition for the right back slot is made that much harder by the emergence of Freddy who played for the last quarter of the season. Comfortable on the ball and strong in the tackle, his partnership with Joe Paley made for a dynamic right flank.
Joe himself has to be one of the finds of the season – one of the most laid back guys off the pitch you underestimate him on it at your peril. Oozing creative class and aggressive belief Joe quickly moved from sometimes keeper to a winger/forward who could tear apart the opposition defence. Just ask Virgin – for me the goal of the season has to be Joe’s driven chip shot from some 30 yards out – a goal that set the tone for what was a crucial Phoenix victory.
Jon Selbie also deserves mention having returned from abroad to play for the Phoenix – there is no other player you would want in the football trenches with you. A massive presence on the pitch – he was quite outstanding against the physical Red Star yesterday.
Mentions to the Phoenix stalwarts
Treen, despite triathlon commitments, is the Phoenix rock and always pops up with a few comic goals every season.
Miles expanded his game with excellent performances on the left hand flank throughout the season.
The Wall returned from a series of injuries to give what you always expect from the two time winning club man of the season.
Jon Hanna made many a long trek up north to be with his Phoenix brothers – there is still no stronger player in the entire league.
Bolu and Toby formed a forward partnership that can damage all of the teams in the Premiership – I believe that they are a real key to success and trophies next season.
Adam Lucas had his best season yet in a Phoenix shirt – with a respectable haul of goals and assists – ‘the puppet master’ – as he is known has a full repertoire including strong shooting skills, dead ball specialist and gets his head on a fair few corners too. Also showed fantastic leadership and commitment and I’m pleased to announce that he will be my vice-captain for the 2009/10 Phoenix campaign – well done mate.
For Phoenix fringe players the door is always open for a bigger role next season – I would like to see more of the dynamic clearances of Luke Hill and the committed full back play of Ell, Sumner and Rene too.
Phoenix thanks go to Tom Byfield, who has moved up to the Allstars due to a deep seated desire to be closer to Loz! Tom had a great part to play in the victory over Allstars in the cup and will be missed.
Also huge thanks to Fleshie who retires to enjoy the green pastures of marriage! Fleshie has been one of the pillars of the Phoenix rise through the divisions – comfortable leading the line or on the flanks and always guaranteed a few goals from long range set pieces – Fleshie is also a top lad and despite his obsessive devotion to Arsenal – was much loved by his Phoenix team mates and will be missed!
Excellent new additions to the squad have been made.
Rob in the midfield is a player of rare technique and skill – at one point in the first half a long ball was taken down on his first touch, played across to his other foot and passed on – all in one movement – genius.
Alongside him in the midfield Jamie (who hopefully will be with us next season) possessing a fantastic engine and who rarely picks the wrong ball. Strong at both centre mid and defence – he is an important player for the future.
A late season welcome to Jules – up front or on the left – who is a constant menace with strength and pace combined with direct running – his link up next season (when he is around permanently) with Bolu, Toby and Jon H represents a new potent Phoenix attack.
Both Jamie Wood and James Bradley (absent yesterday due to Marathon training) have proved consistent and flexible players of a high quality. Jamie started the season up front, played most of it at left midfield and ended at centre back – where he bravely took on Red Star with no shin pads yesterday. His brace of goals against the Allstars in the Camden Champions League victory will always be a highlight of a season in which he has become an indispensible member of the team.
Likewise James Bradley – always full of energy and a terrier in the tackle – Bradley’s performances from centre-mid to right/centre back have always been good. He has hit the ground running having missed pre-season and will only get better – we all look forward to his first goal for the club!!
In between the sticks Phoenix have found one of the burliest keepers on the circuit – Allister Fowler came in against Allstars and instantly had one of the best games I’ve seen a keeper have at this level. Next season with a pre-season under his belt and perhaps slightly less kicking from Treen and Dens (+more padding), I’m confident that Phoenix will have the best keeper in the league.
Chris – who is about to bugger off to Australia for a year – enjoyed his first season moving around the pitch with appearances at centre-mid/back and right mid – good on the ball he scored a great goal against C@G in the relegation play off.
Competition for the right back slot is made that much harder by the emergence of Freddy who played for the last quarter of the season. Comfortable on the ball and strong in the tackle, his partnership with Joe Paley made for a dynamic right flank.
Joe himself has to be one of the finds of the season – one of the most laid back guys off the pitch you underestimate him on it at your peril. Oozing creative class and aggressive belief Joe quickly moved from sometimes keeper to a winger/forward who could tear apart the opposition defence. Just ask Virgin – for me the goal of the season has to be Joe’s driven chip shot from some 30 yards out – a goal that set the tone for what was a crucial Phoenix victory.
Jon Selbie also deserves mention having returned from abroad to play for the Phoenix – there is no other player you would want in the football trenches with you. A massive presence on the pitch – he was quite outstanding against the physical Red Star yesterday.
Mentions to the Phoenix stalwarts
Treen, despite triathlon commitments, is the Phoenix rock and always pops up with a few comic goals every season.
Miles expanded his game with excellent performances on the left hand flank throughout the season.
The Wall returned from a series of injuries to give what you always expect from the two time winning club man of the season.
Jon Hanna made many a long trek up north to be with his Phoenix brothers – there is still no stronger player in the entire league.
Bolu and Toby formed a forward partnership that can damage all of the teams in the Premiership – I believe that they are a real key to success and trophies next season.
Adam Lucas had his best season yet in a Phoenix shirt – with a respectable haul of goals and assists – ‘the puppet master’ – as he is known has a full repertoire including strong shooting skills, dead ball specialist and gets his head on a fair few corners too. Also showed fantastic leadership and commitment and I’m pleased to announce that he will be my vice-captain for the 2009/10 Phoenix campaign – well done mate.
For Phoenix fringe players the door is always open for a bigger role next season – I would like to see more of the dynamic clearances of Luke Hill and the committed full back play of Ell, Sumner and Rene too.
Phoenix thanks go to Tom Byfield, who has moved up to the Allstars due to a deep seated desire to be closer to Loz! Tom had a great part to play in the victory over Allstars in the cup and will be missed.
Also huge thanks to Fleshie who retires to enjoy the green pastures of marriage! Fleshie has been one of the pillars of the Phoenix rise through the divisions – comfortable leading the line or on the flanks and always guaranteed a few goals from long range set pieces – Fleshie is also a top lad and despite his obsessive devotion to Arsenal – was much loved by his Phoenix team mates and will be missed!
Watch this space for details of the Phoenix Vs Allstars Gower Cup and Fleshie testimonial / plus end of season player awards and social.
So thank you all those who have had the honour to put on the black and maroon of Gower Phoenix this season – you have all showed character under adversity and the ability to turn things around this season is something to be proud of. Next season however, we are REALLY raising the stakes with a real concerted push for trophies.
Thank you all,
Dens
So thank you all those who have had the honour to put on the black and maroon of Gower Phoenix this season – you have all showed character under adversity and the ability to turn things around this season is something to be proud of. Next season however, we are REALLY raising the stakes with a real concerted push for trophies.
Thank you all,
Dens
Captain – Gower Phoenix
posted by Gower FC @ 2:26 AM
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