A new step for Phoenix

Saturday 20 September 2014

Areley Kings v Wyre Forest Phoenix Boys

The Wyre Forest Phoenix Under 9 Boys team played their first game together this weekend, away to Areley Kings. There was some good passing and defending by all players.  We saw some great saves from the goalies Finley Preston, Brandon Williams and Tyler-Jay Wilding.  Jake Tew, Finlay Powell and John Brennan all worked well together in the middle and up front making some superb tackles and runs up the pitch. Callum Lockett and Madison Collins battled hard in defense. Our player of the match went to all the boys in a game where all the boys should be proud of themselves for their hard work, effort and determination. Well done boys.

Wyre Forest Phoenix Girls 2 v 0 Droitwich Spa Robbins

This was the Under 11’s first game of the season at home to Droitwich Spa Robbins. With only seven players on the day, not including our normal goalkeeper, it was looking like a hard game. Our brave volunteer Megan Hancher stepped up to go in goal, having not played in goal before. We kicked off and we were looking like a strong team, with a solid midfield made up of Ellie Symons, Mollie Moore and Holly Tew, not much was getting through to the defence, and particularly our keeper. Our first goal came from a through ball from Lois Lawley at the back to Olivia Wood, who ran onto it and hit it into the back of the net making it 1-0 just before half time. We kicked off the second half with a change in goalkeeper and we were looking as strong as before. There were lots of shots and we had a lot of the possession. Tackling was good, and clearances were strong from Megan Durbin and Megan Hancher. We had numerous chances, but then the hard work finally paid off again when Olivia Wood ran down the right hand side and made a beautiful cross into the box which went past the keeper, allowing Holly Tew to get onto the end of it to make the score 2-0. Goals: Olivia Wood (1), Holly Tew (1). The girls all did very well, especially as there were no subs and all putting in 100% effort. Special mentions to Megan Hancher and Lois Lawley who helped the team out and went in goal. Both of them shared girl of the game with Olivia Wood, for a well taken goal and great crossing. Well done everyone, let's hope for more success for the rest of the season.

Droitwich Spa Ravens Girls 0 v 0 Wyre Forest Phoenix Girls

The Under 13's Phoenix started brightly against Droitwich, despite a wet slippery surface   and Angel Childe could have put them ahead early on when Jessica Jenkins long throws were causing mayhem in the Droitwich box, however the goalkeeper collected. In the first half they dominated and had a number of chances, restricting Droitwich to one counter attack to which Beth Savage came out and cleared the danger. At half time, Phoenix made some changes and were on the back foot for the early part of the second half. They saw off the danger and then took control for the last twenty minutes. Star player Chloe Reading had a couple of chances that went over the bar and Phoenix were camped in the Droitwich half for the last few minutes but it was to be one of those days where the ball would just not go into the back of the net. A good point away at Droitwich, however it felt like 2 points lost as Phoenix could not capitalise on their fantastic performance.

Solihull Moors 6 v 1 Wyre Forest Phoenix Flyers Girls

The Under 14’s were this week away to top of the table Solihull Moors, but we were without strong defender Brooke Harris and had a few minor ailments in the team. The Flyers got organised well and started off strongly matching the obvious strength and experience of Solihull.  Lots of battling by both teams finally led to a reward for the Flyers after 10 mins when Fleur put away a superb goal. Solihull came back strong and it took them just 3 minutes to equalise.  The Flyers kept up the pace and strength but hesitation on the clearance led to the Moors getting their second.  A slippery sloping pitch was tricky but the Flyers still had the measure of Solihull, but an extended first half led to the Moors nicking another goal to break at 3-1.The second half saw a change around and the Flyers were holding strong until the 10th minute where the Moors. A great run up the other end by the Flyers from the kick off was nearly rewarded. The Flyers were down to 10 and fantastic play and regrouping by the Flyers kept the Moors at bay. The girls kept fighting but unfortunately it was the Moors that found the net again after 28 minutes to finish the game 6-1. Goals: Fleur Connolly (1). Player of the match was easily Ellie Jones for her effort, skill, calmness under pressure and covering well in defence despite a great performance from all which wasn't reflected in today’s result.

Erdington Ladies 2 v 2 Wyre Forest Phoenix Girls

The Under 18’s needed a point today away at Erdington. The girls began the game brightly with a couple of runs down the wings and our first strike at goal came after less than two minutes when Kathryn Baylis’s attempt went over the crossbar. Very quickly, Erdington countered and the game had end to end action from two evenly matched teams. On 13 mins, against the run of play, saw a one-on-one battle won by their attacker and finished well with a low shot into the net to take the lead. Despite Phoenix’s threat, another long ball penetrated the centre midfield unchallenged, their last player took the ball around the keeper and slotted in. Naomi Wilkinson then picked up the ball in her own half, shrugged off player after player and ran to the edge of the box where she was finally bundled off the ball. A really entertaining first half finished 0-2. The second half started casually for us, but Phoenix started to up their game, and found some urgency. We lived a little dangerously at times, committing players forward and leaving holes at the back and then with 21 mins of the second half gone we got our reward when a ball found Emelia Emerson in the danger area. Her first attempt is blocked but she battles for the loose rebound and takes it around the fallen keeper and pops it nicely away for a deserved goal. On 82 mins – Sadie Allen’s delightful ball from midfield saw Kathryn Baylis beat the keeper to equalise. Despite a foul on the perimeter of the box Laura Brennan’s shot to the top corner of the net was parried away for another corner but time was called at 2-2. Goals: Emelia Emerson (1), Kathryn Baylis (1).

Sunday 21 September 2014

Hereford and Worcester Girls and Women's County League

AFC Worcester 1 (0) v 7 (6) Wyre Forest Phoenix County

The WFP Ladies County team were away to AFC Worcester with 12 players available, so we were looking for the same performance as last week. The team were up for it from the start, playing some good football, tenacious in the tackle winning second balls and distributing it well. Debutant Athina Neale was really on her game, although she hadn’t played for 4 year she managed to bag herself 3 goals, starting just 2 minutes in. Mollie Plant scored a screamer, Steph Lambert scored with a good shot from outside the box, Melissa Knot got her head to the ball to score and finally Vicky Hyde scored along with 3 assists from great corners. We conceded our only goal which was unlucky on the keeper, as she had little to do during the game. Final score 1-7. Girl of the game went to Emilia Sinden. This performance today got us our first win of the season but we can improve our game and will hopefully win more. The only downside today was an injury to Mollie Plant. In summary 7 goals, loads of missed chances but on the whole a great win well done everyone you put in a good effort today. Goals: Athina Neale (3), Mellissa Knott (1), Mollie Plant (1), Steff Lambert (1), Vicky Hyde (1).

West Midlands Regional Women's League Home

Wyre Forest Women’s Ladies 1(0) v 1 (1) Rubery Ladies

The Ladies were very keen to get back to winning ways after losing their previous game but knew they were in for a difficult game at Rubery who had demolished Redditch 14-0 the previous week.
The game started really well and within minutes captain Kat Meredith was close when her shot ricocheted off the cross bar. The game was end to end with some great individual battles going on, but Rubery were first to score on 15 minutes when a rocket of a shot was fired into the top corner from just over 20yds giving the experienced keeper no chance. The team’s attitude was superb and they were not phased. and WFP had a couple of good chances, but saw their efforts compounded by some stern defending from the visitors.
The second half started much like the first with WFP pushing for an equaliser. 10 minutes in and we were awarded a free kick about 35yds out. Player of the match Molly Maguire launched a ball into the 6yd area to see it bounce and clear everyone's heads into the top left corner. Both teams were chomping at the bit to get the winning goal but all in all a draw was a fair result for both teams on the day. Final Score 1-1. Goal: Molly Maguire (1)
WFP are at home on Sunday with their return leg against Droitwich, hoping to turn them over after losing their first encounter 3-1.