It was all smiles at the end of 90 minutes as Pyle Cock Phoenix secured their first of the season in the first round of the Ken Pemberton Cup.
After the 8-1 drumming at the hands of the Moreton Arms a week ago, Phoenix knew things needed to change and it started with the way Phoenix lined up. Graham who has missed the last couple of games came back into centre with Nippa and Gibson moved back to right back, although it was more right wing back. Parkes was back in the centre of midfield with Ste and Dan was back on the left side of midfield. Dean and Adam were the two upfront. Phoenix playing in a more traditional 4-4-2 formation.
Coven kicked the game off and Phoenix immediately showed their desire to win the ball by getting in their oppenents faces and not give them any time on the ball. Coven created very little when they had possession and because of the Phoenix pressure often resorted to a long ball that went through to the keeper. Phoenix with the ball though looked like a completely different team to side that lost a week ago. There was so much more confidence throughout the team and because of this phoenix were able to play some free flowing football that had not been seen so far in the season.
Despite this it was Coven who had the first couple of chances but nothing that tested ade, the Phoenix back four standing strong, leaving Coven to have long shots. Phoenix hit their stride though and looked dangerous down the right hand side. Gibson was getting forward more which allowed booth to cut inside and link up with Parkes and Dean. It was this sort of play that created phonein's first chances. Dean picking the ball up on the edge of the area, swivelling he hit a left footed low shot that just evaded the right hand post, just a few minutes later from a similar position Dean again left footed and low, this time saved by the keeper who could only parry the ball away, but with no one folowing the ball up, the defence were able to clear.
20 minutes in though the game got its first goal. An attack down the right saw the ball put out of play for a throw in and Gibson could use his long throw to try and cause some damage. Parkes got the flick on off the throw and it fell kindly to Adam at the back post who was abe to tap in for what is his 5th goal of the season in all competitions. It was goal that had been coming and one Phoenix deserved.
Coven kicked off and immediatelt looked for that equaliser and it took them just 5 minutes to get an instant reply. It came from a Phoenix attack and their left winger was able to cut inside to edge of the box where he hit a strike that dipped right at the end and evaded the outstreched palm of the keeper and no sooner were phoenix ahead they were back on equal terms again.
Phoenix though kept their heads and pushed on having many chances to go ahead for the second time. Daz had a shot thatwent narrowly wide after a poor clearance from a booth corner. Gibson also put a shot just over the bar, again the coven defense with a poor clearance from a Gibson throw. Dean again denied by ther keeper, but at half time the score was 1-1.
This was now a test for Phoenix. Last week they went into half time at 1-1 only to crumble massively in the second half. Could they put that behind them and put in an even better 2nd half than the first. Both teams had chances and the possession stats were probably fairly equal.
Graham was a rock at the heart of the defence and not alot got past him. Coven had a few good chances though to go ahead. As Gibson got forward that left space down Covens left hand side to attack. There left winger who had just come on from off the bench had fresher legs and caused a few problems with a few shots accross the face of goal. The centre of midfield for Phoenix had been superb today though, ste was all over the place putting i some important challenges and winning the ball back, pick up a knock for his trouble after a heavy challenge that saw him go off for a little treatment. While he was off phoenix had a great oppurtunity to go ahead when Adam raced clear, lobbed the advancing keeper but the bounce taking the ball inches wide of the post.
Booth had, had a great game too. He cut in from the right produced a step over the sold the defender completely, created the space for a left footed shot, but as he swung through the ball bobbled and the shot went hight and wide.
Gibson also showed he could take players on as he went on a run past two players and into the box, getting to the byline but his pull back could only find the defender who was able to clear.
On 75 minutes minutes Al made a change that would win the game for Phoenix. Dave Lucas came on for Adam Booth and after five minutes of being on the field he scored the winning goal. Booth picked the ball up in his own half aftter some neat play involving parkes and ste. Boot played the ball over the top to Dave who had timed his run well, took into the box and at a tight angle found the far corner.
Coven pressed to find an equaliser in the closing 10 minutes but didnt really threaten and it was Phoneix who could have gone further ahead. First Booth had a shot that was saved then with only minutes to spare Dave got the ball inside the 6 yard box but could onl hit his shot straight at the keeper, either side and it surely would have been 3 for Phoenix.
In the end though the game finished 2-1 and Phoenix edvance into the next round. A brilliant performance all round, they now just need to carry this into the next game and get a good league run going.
