Phoenix hit Old Elysians for five

After an extended Christmas break, Gower Phoenix returned to winning ways in some style, thrashing Old Elysians five nil in a hard fought and at times violent match.

The team has managed to retain a core spine throughout the season, with Sam in goal, Jamie Davies at centre back, Pat on the left, Henry ‘the Babymaker’ in centre mid, Pete on the right, and Jules ‘the speedster Slazenger’ and Fernando upfront. With Ben deciding he would rather travel the world instead of play for Phoenix, Alex Manby stepped into centre mid. We also welcomed two new additions with Ben Dyson hoovering up at right back, and Mike accompanying Jamie D at the back.

Despite the score line, Phoenix were only one goal up for the majority of the game. Fifteen minutes in Fernando Denselow got past their right back to finish calmly inside the near post. This took some pressure off, yet the deadlock would remain well into the second half. The oppo had a few chances in the first half, but nothing that Sam could not comfortably handle. Phoenix also had some good chances in the first half, another Fernando effort hit the bar, and Jules had a shot drift narrowly wide.

The halftime talk highlighted the major problems, which were an inherent fondness to always seek the killer ball rather than retain possession, and also a lack of hold up play by the two strikers. The second half continued where the first had left off, with neither side being able to retain possession for more than a pass or two. Special mention must go to the ‘Babymaker’ and Manby, who were instrumental in our winning of the midfield battle, breaking up the oppos play whilst spreading the ball to our wide men on the flanks.

Pete came off midway through the second half, and Alex came on, meaning that we now had a plethora of players called Alex on the pitch. It may be incidental, but with three Alex’s on the pitch Phoenix started to play some real football.
Fernando grabbed his second after robbing their right back of the ball and finishing well in to the corner of the goal, and Alex (the sub) grabbed a goal with his first kick of the ball, unleashing a powerful drive from the edge of the box. Manby had a header cleared off the line, and Fernando managed to get his hatrick, lobbing the keeper who had Banzai charged out of his area.

Unfortunately, the oppo’s frustration hit boiling point, and from the kick off, things turned sour. Manby, who had been having a blinder all game, saw himself at the end of a horror challenge from a disgruntled man-child. After pointing out the stupidity of the challenge, Manby was suddenly punched in the face. The referee, who had been repressively meek in style, had no choice but to send him off. Special mention must once again go to Manby, who reacted in a truly impressive way, exercising commendable self restraint.

With the oppo reduced to ten men, Phoenix grabbed a fifth goal, Alex (not the sub) carried the ball up the left flank before cutting in and nestling an inch perfect shot past the keeper inside the far post. The icing on the cake. Great display in the end after a slow start. The defence were solid and the clean sheet shows how in control they were. Ben had an excellent debut at right back, and Pat continued his excellent season, linking up well with Alex on the left. Jules had another industrious performance, and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, especially as his lady friend on the sideline was expecting goals. Luckily for her, Fernando was on fire with what can only be described as a fanny moistening performance.

MOTM= Alex Manby, bossed the midfield, was unlucky to not get on the score sheet, and reacted remarkably to being punched in the face.