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Mens Reports
Mens 1st XI: Last time these two sides met there was little between them, and a draw was the right result. However, from the first whistle Phoenix looked the brighter out of the two, with some excellent passing around the defence and other areas of the pitch. Eventually some good chances were made and Phoenix began to really test the Wapping defence, resulting in a couple of short corners. Phoenix tried their best to put one in the back of the net, but no matter what they did, the impressive Wapping keeper, managed to keep all the shots out. Pressure was continuously mounted on the opposition, when an excellent pass found its way to Ben Bruce-Smith who slapped it wide. As the half progressed Wapping made chances of their own, which were either cleared by a strong Phoenix defence or brilliantly saved by Ben Wallace. Despite threats from both sides the half ended as it started, goalless.
The second half began with Wapping dominating the possession, like Phoenix had done in the first. However this only lasted five or so minutes before the home side took control again. Some great runs from Kevin Cox, Ash Green and Ben Bruce-Smith led to multiple chances which all could have been scored, but Wapping's keeper stood strong and still the game was without a goal. Phoenix then suffered multiple injuries during the last ten minutes which put a halt to their dominance and then, to add to their troubles Gareth Luxton was shown a yellow card leaving them with ten men on the pitch. However despite these set backs Phoenix defended well and an exciting game ended 0-0.
Mens 2nd XI:
Mens 3rd XI: OK guys double report this week as I couldn't get the time to do last weeks.
Phoenix 3rds entertained Saffron Walden in an eagerly awaited match with revenge on their minds. The game started with Phoenix absolutely flying and Walden barely getting a look in. Dom Piccolo was trying to get early crosses in from the right and Lewis Roberts hovering around the D for any snippets that came his way. We looked very strong on our left with great movement and speed of pass from Paul Bird at left back, to Tony Puddick, left half, and Lewis Roberts and Will Farr up front making some great runs off the ball.
Chances were a plenty and the break came early when Tony Puddick, in his favourite sniping position top left of the D, saw an opportunity to put a dangerous penetrating pass across the goal towards the forwards. The defence, realising the danger, tried to cut it out but the sheer pace of the ball meant they only got a touch on it and deflected it into the goal.
We continued and Walden were just not in it, our midfield and attack were relentless. It wasn't long before Bill Wickham, making a rare appearance these days, slapped one at Tony Puddick, who, knowing exactly where it was going, first time swept it to Will Farr who took it in his stride and hit a an accurate reverse stick shot into the corner of the goal.
2-0 down Walden were crumbling, a fine cross from the right found it's way through sticks and legs to Tony Puddick on the far post, but with last second sight of it was unable to direct into the goal. Lewis Roberts came painfully close to scoring when he tried to meet a cracking far post ball, but at full stretch he was just a layer of paint short. Great positioning, which Lewis is really getting the hang of.
We continued in the same vein, with some good performances from Dom Piccolo trying hard to deliver quick early crosses. With about 25 minutes gone, Captain Tony Puddick substituted himself and Lewis Roberts to allow Charlie Mitchell and Nick Bent on, with Dom Piccolo moving up front.
We went into half time 2-0 up but Walden were starting to claw their way back in to the game. Second half continued the slump and Walden looking stronger by the minute, got one back. Their pressure continued and Tony Puddick came back on up front for Will Farr, eventually Walden equalised and it looked like we were in danger of giving the points away. As is often the case key positions don 't identify the danger and step up the marking and tackling, we gave them too much space in midfield and didn't pressure them when they had the ball. Dave Moseley at the back had a tremendous game, and Freddie Forseys played some really cool hockey under pressure, but they were not helped enough by the halfs. In a desperate attempt to steady the ship Tony Puddick reverted to the original line up, it paid off and not only did we get to grips with the game just in the nick of time, but Will Farr connected with a cross from the right and following a little bounce around some sticks and legs it went in the back of the net. Mike Armsworth in goal had a little rush of blood to the head, close to the end, and made a powerful block taking everything but the ball. Even walden were so stunned no flick was given they didn't appeal!!! The 3 points were ours and well deserved revenge from pre Christmas.
Great character shown, but we really have to get defending sorted when under pressure.
But...clear second in the league and we are in the hunt proper
Upwards and onwards to a difficult game at Old Southendians, with the second team causing chaos we had to send 3 players up leaving a bare 11 for a crucial game. Dave Moseley unavailable, then Bill Wickham not getting the hang of driving on the wrong side of the road in Belgium, rights his car off and cracks 2 ribs in the process, it was getting worse. 8am saturday, with a 9.30 leave for southend, saw Freddie Forseys cry off ill. But ever reliable Darren Webb stepped in the breach and we went with 11 again.
But that wasn't the end, unfortunately Dom Piccolo ended up at the wrong pitch and we started with 10, but not before Tim Styles gave a fantastic pep talk to one of the juniors, telling him exactly how he wanted him to play and how he was going to play it. Just a shame he mistook one of the opposition juniors for ours!!!! Heaven help us.
Despite all of that, we came out of the traps at a hundred miles an hour and threw everything into attack. Tony Puddick ghosting forward from the back found Will Farr with ease, who in turn launched some almighty crosses into the D. Frazer Croft (not in the hundred mile an hour club) normally accepts those with both hands, but even he was caught out with the pace and wasn't able to turn in what was normally a bread and butter cross to him, only managing to deflect it high and wide.
It was all Phoenix, Tom Bent had a fantastic first half, putting lots of runs in and causing the defence all sorts of problems on the right, Lewis Roberts saw lots of the ball in the D but didn't quite manage to get off that vital shot. Dom Piccolo, also having a good game had a fantastic opportunity when he found himself 10 yards out with the just the keeper to beat. We all expected to see the roof of the net bulge a she lined up the shot, but it wasn't to be and his his face said it all.
Finally we were awarded a short corner and following Tony Puddicks pin point injection Will Farr hit a back board breaking shot ,which must have clocked 180mph on the radar, which left the keeper no chance. Phoenix carried on with more and were rewarded once more when Will Farr let go another huge cross which this time Frazer Croft cheekily laid his stick down for, and guided it majestically into the goal. It was looking all over with Old Southendians offering little resistance.
But the second half wasn't quite as easy and we yet again let the opposition back in to the game. Tony Puddick playing a more defensive role to try and 'park the bus' may have been a mistake as the opposition enjoyed numbers and possession in the middle of the park. Again our half backs have to recognise pressure and get back to do their defensive role, both being attack minded they were often left watching from the front when they should have been fighting back. They will learn but a better side may have taken greater advantage.
That said Darren Webb was our Rock of Gibraltar at the back, and with the rest of the defence picking bits up nicely around him, the opposition failed to create too many chances.
The game was sewn up when we again were awarded a short corner and Tony Puddick gave Will Farr the nod he wanted it back. He duly obliged, which threw the defence and Tony Puddick unleashed what can only be described as an electrifying flick which flashed past the keeper and cracked the underside of the bar, clocking on the radar at 185mph it has to be a contender for goal of the season.
We saw the rest of the game out comfortably and went TOP OF THE LEAGUE.
WHO NEEDS BILL WICKHAM
Our resident anorak, Mike Armsworth, with way too much time on his hands in retirement, reported in the 3 games Bill has not played, we have, scored 18, conceded 2 and taken 9 points!!!!!!!!
It was also noted that out of the three juniors/intermediates who went up to the seconds, not one said 'no thanks i want to stay in the 3rds and get us promoted' difficult decisions for the selectors this week then!!
With time on our hands after the game, one or two stayed behind to give the 4ths a little support in the 2pm game. Frazer enjoyed the afternoon the most, with particularly generously stacked bar features, he was backwards and forwards to the bar, buying halves, peanuts and even collecting a few glasses at the end. Great to see the club socialising.
It's now ours to lose, but we travel to Old Loughtonians on Saturday for a difficult game. Playing at Chigwell School, scene of Charlie's mum's education, she has threatened to dig out her old school uniform scarf and tie. The seniors hope thats all !!!!!!
Mens 4th XI:
Ladies Reports
Ladies 1st XI: Phoenix fought hard today but could not hold the top placed team in the league. Both team missed some sitters but what was most pleasing from Phoenix' point of view was the desire to win which held up until the end, with a late goal from Annie Muir. Plenty to work on but good spirit shown!
Ladies 2nd XI: Phoenix match was started with a minute silence in memory of Mike Pudney.
Both teams seemed a bit slow to get started after the Christmas break with the ball staying mainly in the middle of the pitch. Both teams had chances to push forward but were unable to really create any chances in the final third. Eventually Phoenix started to put together some great passes down the right hand side, a crossed ball was nearly put in the goal by Faye Taylor but she wasn't quite able to reach it. Minutes later the ball was back on the right hand side with Abby Swannell, she put a great cross into the circle and a great run from Amy Kennedy saw her put Phoenix ahead. Redbridge and Ilford started to up the pressure after that. From a sideline ball they managed to put a cross in, which was awkward for the defence to clear and one of their attackers just managed to squeeze it into the corner.
Phoenix struggled to get round the two physical defenders Redbridge and Ilford had at the back. There were a few half chances but both teams had a chance to score a winner from a short corner but both chances went wide and the game ended level.
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