The first pre-season friendly took place when the Ladies team travelled to Knowle on Sunday 3 August.

Knowles Ladies 2 v Wyre Forest Phoenix 2

Phoenix Ladies got their pre-season campaign underway as they prepare for their 2nd season in the West Midlands Regional League and look to improve from their mid table finish last season.

They travelled to Premier team Knowles with 10 of the 16 team squad available due to holidays, work and injuries. Stef Lambert and Chase Pheysey-Hoban from the County team were welcomed for the game, and a special thanks to them both for their help.

Knowle started the game as more of the attacking team for the first 20 minutes and was pleasing to see how well Phoenix were defending and coping with the pressure. The team then started to settle and create chances and on 35 minutes Kirsty Roberts scored after some link up play with Molly Maguire.

The second half started much like the first and within minutes keeper Tracy Evans was kept busy, but was seen by the referee to bring down a Knowles player in the box and now had to face a penalty. The shot was fired high and rebounded off the cross bar and cleared by the defence. New signing Rebecca Carter was having an excellent game on the right midfield and was given a chance to score her first goal for the team only to see it ricochet wide. Later in the game though she was gifted a goal as captain Kat Meredith fired a cross into the 6yd box from the left which was met by Roberts who laid the ball into the path of Carter who blasted into the bottom right to double the lead. Knowle got a goal back shortly after when a midfield run latched onto a long ball and with just keeper Evans to beat got them back into the game to make it 2-1. They managed to level the game with 5 minutes to go with a well-placed free kick.

Phoenix Ladies next friendly’s are away to Hillcrest Ladies on 17th August and Tamebridge Ladies on the 31st. Their League campaign begins on the 7th September against Redditch Ladies

If you are interested in joining the club please visit our website www.clubwebsite.co.uk/wyreforestphoenixfc    and hit the contact button. We welcome players of all ages and ability.