Tobi and Lucas both score twice as Phoenix beat Virgin 5-0.
Gower Phoenix (4-4-2) The Cat – Dens, Jamie W, Treen (Luke 70’) , Wall – Tobi, Bradley, Lucas, Rob F – Toby (Henry 65’), Jules (Dave 70’)
Goals – Tobi 2, Lucas 2, Rob F
A positive and confident Phoenix team comfortable beat a decent Virgin team on a sunny afternoon in Regents Park.
Phoenix were out of the traps quickly scoring twice in the first ten minutes. The first came after Dens clipped the ball to the rapid Jules whose left wing cross eventually found its way to Tobi who finished past their hapless keeper. Then after a couple of decent Virgin attacks were repealed, Rob marked his first game of the season with a finish from just inside the box the beat the keeper at his near post.
Virgin rallied and the Phoenix defence had to be alert after some direct running for the Virgin midfield. Treen and Jamie W were both absolutely dominant in the air and Dens and the Wall were supported by their wingers in keeping the Virgin attacks at bay, Bradley in particular worked tirelessly on the left. Then after Jules was fouled 25 yards out Lucas stepped up and curled a beauty of a free kick into the goal for a 3-0 lead at ½ time.
Phoenix have in the past started slowly after the ½ time break – a habit we must be aware of – indeed Virgin had a good chance early on and Phil ‘the cat’ Glyn had to be alert to deny a shot from range and rush out to smoother another attack. Wall stepped up a gear in the second ½ winning challenge after challenge – often having a pile of Virgin players on top of him in the process. We maintained better possession in the 2nd ½ - it’s important to be able to make the simply pass back or switch play as Virgin were able to hold the ball slightly better early on.
Any remaining nerves were settled when Jules and Toby combined to allow Lucas to buddle in his second. Just before going off Toby just shot wide after a great run and through ball from Jules. The Cat turned a direct header over the bar in what was the best Virgin chance. Then amongst all this excitement Lucas missed a penalty – allowing Dens to become place kicker once more! Dave and Henry both made confident and solid first appearances – both players throwing themselves into the fray up front. Luke also came on and was solid – he managed to make a amazing volley from a corner go in the wrong direction which was nice. Then Tobi scored his second to make it 5-0 and the game was won.
All in all a lot of positives on an excellent day for the Phoenix – lets keep this momentum and stay together from here on to make this our best season yet. Silverware is most definitely on the gameplan!
MOTM – Tobi – two goals and a lot of running from the Phoenix right mid. Also managed to wind up his opposite number a treat as he beat him again and again..
