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Sunday Division Two 2006/07 Results and Reports
Phoenix 2 Oldswinford Cross 4 Wayne Lancett Angelo Gualano Joss Price (1) Graham Rowe Dan Nash Toby O'Brien Stuart Brogan (1) Ricky Sanders Neal Bennett Michael Gallagher John Griffin Sub - Stuart Dixon Luke Ganley
Sunday 26 November 2006 Foley Celtic 5 Phoenix 2 Wayne Lancett Ross Newman Jamie Thorpe Joss Price Graham Rowe Toby O'Brien Stuart Brogan Neal Bennett Dan Nash Ricky Sanders John Griffin (1) Sub - Michael Gallagher (1) James Day Luke Ganley
Sunday 19 November 2006 Phoenix 0 Defford & Bessford United 3 Wayne Lancett Jamie Thorpe Joss Price Graham Rowe Dan Nash Toby O'Brien Stuart Brogan Ricky Sanders Neal Bennett Lee McDermott John Griffin Sub - Stuart Dixon Angelo Gualano
Cleobury Town 0 Phoenix 4 Phoenix will be delighted to have picked up three points as they comfortably beat a strong Cleobury side. The early stages were very even with neither side taking full control, although both teams looked dangerous on the break. Cleobury had the ball in the net first but the goal was disallowed due to a late challenge on keeper Wayne Lancett. Cleobury were applying a lot of pressure and Ross Newman made a superb covering tackle to prevent the dangerous Stuart Millichamp from having a clear shot on goal. Phoenix had a goal controversially disallowed after Lee McDermott headed home a Graham Rowe corner. To the amazement of both sides the referee ruled that the ball hadn't crossed the line despite it appearing to have hit the net. McDermott went close again when John Griffin brought down a Ross Newman crossfield ball and sent three defenders the wrong way with a reverse pass. Lee McDermott was unable to finish as the keeper closed him down quickly and parried the ball away. Shortly after it proved to be third time luck as the two forwards combined again and LEE MCDERMOTT was able to prod the ball into the corner of the goal. Minutes later Phoenix doubled their lead. Ross Newman produced a pinpoint pass to Toby O'Brien, who pulled the ball back for STUART BROGAN. With a sublime piece of skill Brogan chipped the keeper from 25 yards with the ball just falling underneath the crossbar. Phoenix were enjoying a purple patch at this time and it was not long before the third goal arrived. Stuart Brogan put JOHN GRIFFIN in the clear and the prolific scoring easily beat the keeper to make it 18 goals for the season. Half Time 0-3 Phoenix continued to control the game during the early stages of the second half, but despite keeping the ball for long periods, time after time the final ball was lacking where the approach play was superb. Cleobury were always likely to be dangerous on the break with their quality forward line, but the Phoenix defence were superb and managed to keep the home side's chances to a minimum. Phoenix thought they had won a penalty when Toby O'Brien chased a defence splitting pass from Stuart Brogan. O'Brien was sent sprawling on the edge of the area, but the referee did not even give a free kick, let alone the penalty. The introduction of Luke Ganley on the left wing led to Phoenix's fourth goal. Stuart Brogan fired a pass behind the full back and Ganley was able to reach the ball and deliver a superb cross to JOHN GRIFFIN, who rose and headed the ball into the corner of the net. Griff could have made it a hat trick when he exchanged passes with Stuart Brogan before shooting against the post. Luke Ganley was having a field day against a tiring defence and another probing cross just evaded the outstretched leg of Stuart Dixon. Full Time 0-4 Wayne Lancett Ross Newman Dan Nash Joss Price Graham Rowe Toby O'Brien Stuart Brogan (1) Ricky Sanders Neal Bennett Lee McDermott (1) John Griffin (2) Sub - Luke Ganley Stuart Dixon Benny's Man of the Match -= great performances all over the park, especially John Griffin and Ross Newman, but STUART BROGAN ran the show in the centre of midfield. Phoenix 4 Kingswinford Oak 1 Phoenix progressed to the second round of the league cup quite comfortably, but only after their worst performance of the season and probably their worst for at least 20 games. From the start the signs were ominous as the home side were very lethargic and mistakes were coming thick and fast. If Phoenix thought the game was going to be a formality, Kingswinford showed that thought to be wrong as they took the game to Phoenix and created a couple of chances in the first ten minutes, albeit the shots did not trouble Wayne Lancett in the home goal. Phoenix slowly sparked to life and when they did the football was neat and precise, but the Kingswinford keeper was able to keep out shots from Neal Bennett, John Griffin and Lee McDermott. The best chance of the half fell to Neal Bennett, whose close range header was well saved. Half Time 0-0 Phoenix got the kick up the backside that they needed after 5 minutes of the second period. Ross Newman was harshly adjudged to have hand balled and the resultant free kick was curled into the roof of the net. Phoenix responded immediately and after a right wing throw Joss Price was hacked down in the box. The referee awarded the spot kick but Tobias O'Brien's shot crashed against the post and to safety. Minutes later, LEE MCDERMOTT was sent clear and was able to lob the keeper to put Phoenix level. Phoenix soon went into the lead with a superb goal. A quick throw caught Kingswinford cold and Lee McDermott cut the ball back to JOHN GRIFFIN on the edge of the area. Phoenix's top scorer unleashed a powerful drive that thundered into the corner of the net. Phoenix were starting to play how they have performed all season now and JOHN GRIFFIN was on hand to make it three after Joss Price challenged the keeper and the ball squirmed loose. NEAL BENNETT completed the scoring after the move of the game. Luke Ganley picked the ball up on the right wing and skipped between players, Ganley was fouled but the referee played the advantage. Jamie Thorpe and Lee McDermott spread the play left and a sublime moment from Angelo Gualano, where he sent his marker the wrong way with a body shuffle and then squeezed a reverse pass out to NEAL BENNETT (is that enough Ang?) Without bringing the ball under control, Bennett lofted the ball over the keeper to nestle in the back of the net. Full Time 4-1 Wayne Lancett Ross Newman Dan Nash Joss Price Graham Rowe Toby O'Brien Jamie Thorpe Ricky Sanders Neal Bennett (1) Lee McDermott (1) John Griffin (2) Sub - Luke Ganley Angelo Gualano James Day Benny's Man of the Match - On a day when not many players kept their heads, GRAHAM ROWE had a solid game at left back and showed his range of passing, which on another day would have led to countless chances. Phoenix 1 Ambassador 3 aet Phoenix should have taken the scalp of one of the cup favourites, but despite dominating the 2nd half they ultimately fell in extra time. The game started in true cup-tie fashion, electric pace and plenty of committed challenges. The game threatened to boil over at times as the inexperienced referee struggled to keep a lid on matters. Phoenix were enjoying good possession down both wings and the first chance fell from a move down the right. When the ball was played into the area, John Griffin fired over. Ambassador took the lead after 15 minutes. A quick one-two down the left wing caught the Phoenix defence cold and the cross was brought down by the right winger and finished into the corner. Phoenix were proving to be more than a match for their higher ranked opponents and looked very threatening from set pieces, but the away keeper showed good handling when he was called into action. Phoenix may have equalised shortly before half time when Ricky Sanders cut in from the left and unleashed a powerful shot that cleared the crossbar. Half Time 0-1 Phoenix took control of the game during the 2nd half and pushed their opponents back almost constantly with flowing moves down both wings. John Griffin was running the right back ragged, but when he did break clear the shots were either off target or were collected by the keeper. Despite almost constant pressure, the equaliser did not come. To give Phoenix credit they kept piling forward at every opportunity. With 10 minutes left JOHN GRIFFIN found a yard of space in a crowded are and managed to drive the ball home to deservedly put Phoenix level. Full Time 1-1 Extra time was barely minutes old when disaster struck for Phoenix as Jamie Thorpe was adjudged to have brought down the Ambassador striker. The penalty was comfortably converted to put the visitors ahead. Phoenix knew that they now must score to stay in the competition and the attacking play continued with Toby O'Brien breaking down the right, only for his low cross to be cleared from the foot of Lee McDermott. Phoenix should have been awarded a penalty moments later when Joss Price was clearly pushed over when attacking a long throw from Ricky Sanders. To the amazement of all watching the referee did not give the decision and perhaps at this point the home side feared that it was not going to be their day. The game was finished mid way through the 2nd period of extra time when the Ambassador forwards showed their quality with a breakaway and a fine finish from ex Hereford United player, Simon Brain. Wayne Lancett Ross Newman Jamie Thorpe Joss Price Graham Rowe Toby O'Brien Stuart Brogan Ricky Sanders (1) Neal Bennett Lee McDermott John Griffin (1 Sub - Luke Ganley Angelo Gualano Dan Nash Benny's Man of the Match - Everyone. We showed this week that we can mix it with the quality sides in the area, we should have won the game and the opposition know it. I counted their manager ask the referee how long was left 7 times in the 2nd half, starting at 26 minutes left!! Phoenix 2 Black Country Rangers 2 A host of missed chances cost Phoenix 2 points as they were held to a 2-2 draw by an energetic and skillful Black Country Rangers. The visitors got right into Phoenix from the opening whistle and looked very dangerous on the break. A sloppy back pass from Jamie Thorpe gave them an ideal opportunity, but Wayne Lancett forced the forward wide and he was unable to finish. At the other end, three or four Phoenix players had the chance to finish a Stuart Brogan corner as the ball bounced around the six yard box, but in the end the Black Country keeper was able to smother the ball. Black Country thought they had taken the lead when another quick breakway saw the visitors winger take the ball round the keeper but instead of shooting, he passed to a teammate in an offside position. Black Country took the lead after 12 minutes when the home side failed to clear their lines, and the visitors forward was able to finish from an acute angle. Phoenix started to edge their way back into the game and John Griffin, Lee McDermott, Toby O'Brien and Ricky Sanders missed good chances It was certainly not all one way traffic. Black Country should have doubled their lead when a quick freekick left their winger in the clear, but his shot was screwed wide with only the keeper to beat. Phoenix drew level minutes before the break. Another Stuart Brogan corner caused problems in the visitors defence and the ball dropped to JOHN GRIFFIN on the edge of the box. A sharp shot on the turn gave Griff his 14th goal of the campaign. HALF TIME 1-1 Phoenix started to dominate the game in the 2nd half, but chances came and went and as they became more frustrated the discipline also disappeared, as the bickering began. Lee McDermott had a good chance as a powerful run was followed by a strong shot, but unfortunately the goalkeeper was in the right place to save. Neal Bennett also created a good chance, but again the shot went straight to the keeper. Phoenix continued to create chance after chance as the game was largely played in the visitors half of the pitch, but poor finishing prevented any further goals. To compound the situation, Black Country took the lead with their only chance of the 2nd half, when a right wing free kick was nodded home from 8 yards out. Phoenix now had 12 minutes left to salvage anything from a game that should have been over by half time. The pressure was exerted on the young opponents and the home side struck back within minutes when good work from RICKY SANDERS left him well placed on the left hand edge of the area, an exquisite chip just beat the outstretched hand of the keeper and the ball nestled in the side of the net. Phoenix almost stole all three points in the last moments of the game, when Neal Bennett rose at the back post and narrowly headed over the bar from a Stuart Brogan corner. Wayne Lancett Ross Newman Jamie Thorpe Joss Price Graham Rowe Toby O'Brien Stuart Brogan Ricky Sanders Neal Bennett Lee McDermott John Griffin (1) Sub - Luke Ganley Angelo Gualano Stuart Dixon Benny's man of the match - Not the best performance by any means, and on a day when we had to tough it out, JOSS PRICE won everything in the air and put his body on the line on more than one occasion to win vital tackles. Wordsley Lions 0 Phoenix 4 Manager, Dave Anderson was forced into changing last week's winning side, as Dan Nash failed a late fitness check. Phoenix started the game on fire and took the lead after 3 minutes. A pinpoint crossfield pass from Jamie Thorpe was brought down by John Griffin. With his second touch he delivered a far post cross, where NEAL BENNETT was able to apply a side footed finish. Six minutes late and the visitors doubled the score with another superb move. JOHN GRIFFIN came deep to pick up the ball from Ricky Sanders, a quick one-two with Lee McDermott left him in space inside the area and he scored with an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net. Phoenix had Wayne Lancett to thank for keeping the scoreline as it was when a shot was deflected by Jamie Thorpe. The ball was heading into the net before Lancett managed to tip the ball over the bar. Phoenix stretched the lead after 21 minutes. Toby O'Brien spotted JOHN GRIFFIN free on the left hand side of the area. His pass was accurate and Griff brought the ball down in one, sent the onrushing defender the wrong way and placed the ball into the side of the net. Despite totally controlling the game, Phoenix were once again indebted to their keeper when Wayne Lancett pulled of a superb reaction save to deflect a freekick over the bar. The visitors keeper was having a good day and assisted in the 4th goal when his long clearance was brought down by LEE MCDERMOTT who finished well. Half Time 0-4 The second half was a totally different game to the first period. Wordsley, to be fair to them came back into the game and Phoenix dropped their quality, which you would half expect with the game already won. The game was very scrappy and the best chance of the half fell to the home side, as a free kick was deflected onto the bar by Wayne Lancett. The second half was marred by Phoenix's first bookings of the season as Wayne Lancett and Graham Rowe were both shown yellow cards. Wayne Lancett Ross Newman Jamie Thorpe Joss Price Graham Rowe Toby O'Brien Stuart Brogan Ricky Sanders Neal Bennett (1) Lee McDermott (1) John Griffin (2) Sub - Luke Ganley Angelo Gualano Stuart Dixon Benny's man of the match - Wayne Lancett had a superb game in goal, Jamie Thorpe was almost faultless at the back, but this weeks player is JOHN GRIFFIN, two goals, an assist, plenty of skill and a huge amount of hard work. Hoobrook Crown 2 Phoenix 5 Phoenix returned to the top of the league after a 5 star performance against a very strong Hoobrook Crown side. Hoobrook were obviously fired up and looking to avenge their defeat at Baxter College a few weeks ago and started well putting pressure on the visitors with quick passing and good movement all over the park. It was ironic that Hoobrook took the lead when Phoenix had began to come into the match. RICHARD BURGESS picked the ball up on the right wing and a mazy run saw him go round 4 defenders before firing into the bottom corner. The goal fired Phoenix into action and could have levelled when John Griffin put a snap shot narrowly over. The equaliser did come when STUART BROGAN curled a free kick into the top corner. Both sides were fully committed by now and the game did threaten to boil over at times, but the commitment and a lot of good football, added to the excitement for the crowd. Phoenix made the most of their possession with 10 minutes of the half remaining when a crossfield ball by Tobias O'Brien was brought down by LEE MCDERMOTT, who turned inside his marker and finished. Half Time 1-2 Hoobrook started the 2nd period as they had the first and put the Phoenix back four under several minutes of sustained pressure, and the Phoenix took over and took a stranglehold on the match. Despite the visitors being the better side, the major turning point in the game came when John Sharpe put a cross wide with only the keeper to beat. At 2-2 it may have been a different game JOHN GRIFFIN made the score 3-1 when a right wing cross was turned goalbound by Stuart Brogan and Griffin was on hand to poke home the rebound. Wayne Lancett came to the rescue with a couple of fine saves. He pushed a low shot from Richard Burgess around the post and saved a point blank Burgess header to preserve the scoreline. Stuart Brogan almost made it a brace of free kick goals when his shot crashed against the bar and rebounded to safety. Manager, Dave Anderson introduce Luke Ganley and it proved to be an inspired change as a pinpoint pass to JOHN GRIFFIN lead to the 4th goal as Griff found the top corner with a left foot shot. JOHN GRIFFIN sealed his hat trick after a flowing move down the right side. LEE MCDERMOTT was the provider as he unselfishly passed when through on goal allowing Griff an easy finish from close range. Hoobrook grabbed a consolation goal in the final minutes when ASHLEY WAKEMAN volleyed home from close range. Wayne Lancett Ross Newman Jamie Thorpe Joss Price Daniel Nash Toby O'Brien Stuart Brogan (1) Ricky Sanders Neal Bennett Lee McDermott (1) John Griffin (3) Sub - Luke Ganley Graham Rowe Stuart Dixon Benny's man of the match - lots of candidates all over the park but Stuart Brogan gets it for a sensational display, a goal, a near miss and made a so called higher level player practically give up in the end. Phoenix 3 Crestwood Star 1 Phoenix looked to get back to winning ways after last week's poor performance at Arley. Neal Bennett returned to the side, replacing flu stricken Ricky Sanders and Dan Nash replaced manager Dave Anderson on the left. Both sides started cagily, playing some decent stuff without creating much in the final third. John Griffin put a snap shot wide for the home side in one of few chances in the first half hour. Phoenix took more of the play in the last 15 minutes and took a deserved lead when JOSS PRICE rose strongly at the far post and nodded home a Stuart Brogan corner. Phoenix had a glorious chance to increase the lead shortly before half time when the Crestwood keeper fumbled a cross, but John Griffin fired over from close range. Half Time 1-0 Phoenix increased the pace of the game at the start of the second period and but for poor finishing would have added to their goal. It was down to JOSS PRICE again to increase the lead when he rose strongly at the far post to nod home a Stuart Brogan corner. Confidence was oozing through the home side by now and the third goal arrived quickly. LEE MCDERMOTT broke down the right and his shot from the right hand side of the area flew into the bottom corner. Phoenix had a couple of shaky moments at the3 back and conceeded a goal from a miscued cross that swerved into the top corner, but managed to control the last few minutes and finish up comfortable winners. Wayne Lancett Ross Newman Jamie Thorpe Joss Price(2) Luke Ganley Toby O'Brien Stuart Brogan Neal Bennett Daniel Nash Lee McDermott(1) John Griffin Sub - Alex Reeves James Day Stuart Dixon Benny's man of the match - strong at the back, and two goals. Not a bad days work for Joss Price, but he should really give his Grandad the boxers back. Arley 3 Phoenix 0 A shortage of players forced manager, Dave Anderson to include himself in the starting line up at Arley. Phoenix seemed sluggish in the early stages and allowed the home side to take a grip of the game and dominate possession. The first goal came after 15 minutes when the visitors defence failed to pick up their opponents and the Arley right midfielder hit an unstoppable volley into the corner of the net. This should have kick started Phoenix but it only spurred Arley on and they soon made it a two goal lead when a deep cross from the right was headed in from under the crossbar. Phoenix did come back into the game for the last 10 minutes of the half and went close when Lee McDermott hit the crossbar and John Griffin narrowly missed getting on the end of a low cross. Half Time 2-0 Phoenix had much more possession during the 2nd half, limited Arley to attacks on the break but all too often the final ball was poor and at times the visitors were simply giving the Arley keeper catching and kicking practice. The only worthwhile chances fell to Lee McDermott who cut in from the right wing but his shot was saved by the keeper and a John Griffin header that was narrowly over the bar. Arley sealed the points with a dubious penalty in the last 15 minutes. Wayne Lancett Ross Newman Jamie Thorpe Joss Price Dave Anderson Toby O'Brien Stuart Brogan Ricky Sanders Luke Ganley Lee McDermott John Griffin Sub - Alex Reeves Phoenix 4 Hoobrook Crown 1 Phoenix kept up their fine start to the campaign as they destroyed a under strength Hoobrook side and made it a first victory against a bogey side since exactly three years ago. There were only two survivors from that day in todays starting line up and not many supporters would guess that it was Toby O'Brien and Jamie Thorpe. The game started in an identical way to the last three league games with an even start and the home side taking time to get into their rhythm. Despite starting slowly Phoenix could well have taken an early lead when John Griffin raced onto a Wayne Lancett clearance, only to be thwarted by Dave Bush in the Hoobrook goal. Tobias O'Brien could have also scored when he raced into the box but put the ball narrowly wide when well placed. Hoobrook had the chance to take a lead when Justin Crew was sent racing through but his low shot was saved by Wayne Lancett's legs. Within a minute Joss Price showed a touch of quality with a sidestep inside an onrushing forward and then a killer pass through to John Griffin, but again Dave Bush made a vital save with his legs. The home side were staring to get on top and were playing confident passing football and everyone will admit that the last 15/20 minutes of the half only featured one side. The first goal came in an unexpected way when a Graham Rowe corner evaded the first jumpers and was thighed in by JOHN GRIFFIN. Phoenix soon made it 2-0 with a goal that has been rated as the best seen at Baxter College. The goal involved just two players as Lee McDermott and John Griffin showed exquisite control and touch, as they made three one-twos around the defence before JOHN GRIFFIN fired home. Both sets of supporters acknowledged that they had witnessed a truly remarkable goal. Phoenix almost made it three on the stoke of half time when another Graham Rowe corner was met by Joss Price whose header crashed against the post. Half time 2-0 As you would expect Phoenix started the second half in a confident matter, with the four in midfield all moving the ball well. The first chance fell to the home side when a long throw from the very impressive Ross Newman was headed over by Joss Price, when he will admit himself he should have scored. Phoenix did take a further lead with a move that was not far off the second goal. Good interplay between Stuart Brogan and Ricky Sanders left Sanders to cross for Lee McDermott to cushion a header to JOHN GRIFFIN, who shifted the ball round his marker before firing home. Hoobrook were always going to come into the match and they pulled a goal back in spectacular style when a fierce cross was superbly cushioned into the side of the net by JUSTIN CREW. Hoobrook sensed a chance to get back into the game and only a sharp push onto the bar from Wayne Lancett stopped the visitors getting right back into the match. Phoenix made the game safe with another good clearance from Wayne Lancett, two Hoobrook defenders challenged for the same ball and JOHN GRIFFIN was able to run onto the rebound and finish into the corner. Manager, Dave Anderson was then able to introduce Stuart Dixon to the fray and he showed his immense talent ( and relieve many supporters from ear ache) Dixon was unlucky not to score when a glanced header went just wide. This was probably the best performance i have seen from a Phoenix team, against the favourites for the league title. They were missing a couple of players, but i genuinely think that we would have beaten whatever side they had put out today. Wayne Lancett Ross Newman Jamie Thorpe Joss Price Graham Rowe Toby O'Brien Stuart Brogan Ricky Sanders Neal Bennett Lee McDermott John Griffin (4) Sub - Luke Ganley, Angelo Gualano, Stuart Dixon Benny's man of the match - we stepped it up a notch on last week's performance and everyone played very well, but there can only be one winner; JOHN GRIFFIN with 4 goals, runner up is the unsung hero of the forward line; LEE McDERMOTT who had a superb game and was involved in one of the best goals i have ever seen. Lovato Electric 0 Phoenix 4 Phoenix made it 9 points from 9 (last season it was 4 December when they had this many points) after another impressive display, this time against newly promoted Lovato Electric. Phoenix, as always, started slowly but soon the pace built with both sides playing attractive passing football all over the park The early stages led the spectators to believe we were in for a cracker of a match. Phoenix took the lead after 8 minutes. Lee McDermott broke down the right and his cross evaded all players apart from NEAL BENNETT on the left side of the area, an exquisite chip looped over the keeper and dropped into the net. Lovato threatened on the break and forced a few corners but Wayne Lancett in the visitors goal was untroubled. Phoenix went two up when STUART BROGAN was on hand to force the ball home after a goalmouth scramble. The visitors sensed a victory and piled on the pressure with John Griffin shooting narrowly over from 20 yards. Phoenix added a third minutes before the break when JOHN GRIFFIN finished superbly from a low driven corner. Half Time 0-3 Phoenix expected Lovato to come at them hard at the beginning of the second period, but to be fair they played the same controlled football throughout the match and did not appear to increase the tempo in attack, their chances were limited to long range shots which more often than not were well wide of the target. Phoenix continued to press for more goals and chances came and went; with players tending to over complicate matters when close to goal. John Griffin, Lee McDermott, Graham Rowe, Steve Barker, Steve Barker, Steve Barker and Steve Barker all going close. Phoenix made it four when lee McDermott crossed from the right and STUART BROGAN finished with a bicycle kick under the keeper. A good performance from the lads against a good footballing side. Wayne Lancett Ross Newman Jamie Thorpe Joss Price Graham Rowe Toby O'Brien Stuart Brogan (2) Ricky Sanders Neal Bennett (1) Lee McDermott John Griffin (1) Sub - Luke Ganley, Steve Barker, Stuart Dixon Benny's man of the match - no poor performances today but RICKY SANDERS takes it gains with an energetic and skillful display in midfield. John Griffin was close behind. Phoenix 2 Chaddesley Corbett 1 Manager, Dave Anderson was able to name on unchanged side as Phoenix looked for a second victory of the season. It was a cagey start by both sides with a bit of a battle developing in the midfield, as both sides showed great commitment. Chances were at a premium and Phoenix may have gone ahead on the 30 minute mark when a long throw from Ricky Sanders was headed narrowly over the bar by Joss Price. Phoenix did take the lead 2 minutes before the break. An inswinging corner from Dan Nash was firmly headed home by JOHN GRIFFIN. Half Time 1-0 Phoenix started the second half with more confidence and began to pass the ball around, but were unable to make the final ball count until a fine flowing move saw Lee McDermott and John Griffin combine before RICKY SANDERS fired a shot into the bottom corner of the net. It only seemed a matter of time before the home side sealed the point and went close when a Lee McDermott header was cleared of the line and a measured chip from Stuart Brogan was pushed onto the bar by the Chaddesley keeper, from the rebound John Griffin put the ball over from close range. Chaddesley went close when a long range shot from Sam Pountney whistled past the post and with four minutes left they pulled a goal back when home keeper Wayne Lancett could only get finger tips to a deep cross and RICHARD ASH was left with a tap in from 6 yards out Phoenix weathered the final few minutes to make it 6 points from 6 Wayne Lancett Angelo Gualano Jamie Thorpe Joss Price Dan Nash Toby O'Brien Stuart Brogan Ricky Sanders (1) Neal Bennett Lee McDermott John Griffin (1) Sub - Luke Ganley, Steve Barker Benny's man of the match - good performance again but Ricky Sanders took the honours with a powerful display in the centre of the park, capped with a goal. Jamie Thorpe was also in the running with a faultless performance. Blackheath Malt Shovel 1 Phoenix 4 Phoenix started the season in good style, with a steady performance on an atrocious pitch. Phoenix started the game with the advantage of the slope and took the game to Blackheath from the start, passing the ball confidently. Despite plenty of possession in the first 20 minutes chances were few and far between and gradually Blackheath came into the game and created a couple of half chances on the break. The rest of the half was even but neither keeper was troubled. Half Time 0-0 The second half began with Phoenix taking more of a grip of the game in midfield and started to stretch the home sides back four with John Griffin going closest with a low shot that went narrowly wide. It was route one that gave Phoenix the lead. A long clearance from Wayne Lancett caught the Blackheath defence flat footed and LEE MCDERMOTT was able to nip in between them and the keeper to nod home. Phoenix continued to press, especially out wide where Toby O'Brien and Neal Bennett were dangerous and should have doubled the lead within two minutes of the opening goal when a low cross fired across by Toby O'Brien evaded both John Griffin and Neal Bennett, with the goal gaping. It was a bit of a surprise when Blackheath equalised with 14 minutes left. The ball was swung from left to right and then fed into the onrushing JON TAGUE who slid the ball home from 8 yards. This was probably the first time that the Phoenix goal was seriously threated and Blackheath took full advantage. It did not take long for Phoenix to go ahead again with JOHN GRIFFIN latching onto the ball in the area after a mazy run from Neal Bennett and hooking the ball into the top corner. LEE MCDERMOTT put the game safe when he beat the offside trap to run onto a Wayne Lancett clearance and cooly lobbed the keeper from the edge of the area. The game ended in controversial fashion with Lee McDermott being brought down in the box only for the referee to play on. When John Griffin missed the resultant shot, the referee brought play back and awarded the penalty, much to the annoyance of the home team. JOHN GRIFFIN duly converted the spot kick. A good start for the lads, Wayne Lancett was untroubled, the defence was well marshalled by Jamie Thorpe and all played well to keep Blackheath's potent attack quiet. The midfield worked extremely hard and controlled the game in the second half and both forwards scored. Wayne Lancett Angelo Gualano Jamie Thorpe Joss Price Dan Nash Toby O'Brien Stuart Brogan Ricky Sanders Neal Bennett Lee McDermott (2) John Griffin (2) Sub - Luke Ganley Benny's man of the match - Close run thing with Neal Bennett pipping Toby and Joss. Neal ran himself into the ground, covering a lot of ground in support of defence and attack and was unlucky not to cap a fine debut with a goal.
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