This weekend was certainly not the most successful for Wyre Forest Phoenix, but a couple of teams did rise to the occasion. The most notable result was the Under 18 team’s first win in a long time. However despite some of the losses they were hard fought games with perhaps some unjust results.

Saturday 27 September 2014

Inkberrow Eagles 3 v 1 Wyre Forest Phoenix Girls

The Under 11’s played their second game of the season, and we were anticipating that it would be a hard game. We kicked off but unfortunately within five minutes our goalkeeper Amy Barnett had to come off with an injury. We were already 2-0 down within 10 Minutes and Inkberrow had a strong attack, which definitely gave the girls a challenge. Wyre Forest continued to battle with a few attacks being created by Olivia Wood, Ellie Symons, Holly Tew and Mollie Moore, but none of their hard work had paid off yet. We kicked off the second half, and began to get more attacks, especially from Mollie Moore down the left hand side. Soon enough Olivia Wood put the ball into the back of the net to make the score 2-1. Shortly after though we conceded another goal to make the final score 3-1. Although we kept battling, we couldn't seem to score any more and finished 3-1. Goal: Olivia Wood (1). The girls played well against a strong team, and now we can learn from our mistakes for the next time we play Inkberrow. Girl of the game went to Mollie Moore for her great runs down the wing and battling for the team. Well done girls.

Wyre Forest Phoenix Girls 0 v 10 Kewford Eagles

Phoenix Under 13's welcomed an outstanding Kewford team and the quality in teams showed. For the first 20 minutes Phoenix battled well and frustrated Kewford, however they then became sloppy and invited Kewford to shoot by not closing them down quickly enough. Subsequently Kewford had a 4 goal lead very quickly, all from long range shots. At half time Phoenix again rallied hard, however fell apart during the latter stages and conceded a further 6 goals, one of those being a harsh penalty for a ball hitting a hand. Overall, Phoenix were just outdone by the better team. Girl of the game went to Jessica Jenkins who ran herself into the ground both attacking and defending.
 

Wyre Forest Phoenix Flyers Girls 2 v 3 Coundon Court Girls

The Under 14’s played their first game at home on the new larger pitch. From the start there was lots of action effort from the Flyers and it wasn't too long before the Flyers were putting Coundon under pressure, It was Coundon who found the net first with a goal after 10 minutes but  it wasn't too long before Fleur Connolly made a great turn, beat the goalie and got the equaliser after 17 minutes.  The Flyers were now taking charge but were denied by the post a number of times to end the first half all square. 

New signing Weronika Pawlowska came on for her first appearance and settled up front.  Her presence made a difference and as she pulled the Coundon defence away, Ellie Jones stormed in and skilled her player to get her first goal. The Flyers were still looking strong but Coundon managed to cause confusion in the box and got the second equaliser after 10 minutes (2-2).  The Flyers kept up the pressure and the game was even and then but it was a defensive slip by the Flyers and a corner that allowed Coundon to get a goal with 2 minutes of normal time left which was wear it finished 2-3, despite Fleur trying to grab a late equaliser and the Flyers couldn't get the ball out of their half to the waiting attack line.  Goals: Ellie Jones (1), Fleur Connolly (1). Girl of the game goes to Ellie Jones.

Wyre Forest Phoenix Girls 4 v 3 FC Bilbrook

The Under 18 team had cause for celebration on Saturday after their first win in many months against a tough FC Bilbrook side. Phoenix had the ideal start with a goal in less than two minutes when Emelia Emerson beat the last defender on the left and struck a low shot into the back of the net. Unfortunately, Phoenix’s lack of midfield control allowed their opponents to come at them and they invited unwelcome pressure, making keeper Meg Potter more than an onlooker. Eventually, Phoenix succumbed to this after 31 mins when some poor defending from a Bilbrook free kick allowed their player too much space and parity between the teams was gained. 1-1. Just a minute from the break, Kat Baylis kept the ball, with two defenders chasing her, and managed a fine strike into the bottom right of the goal for a 2-1 half time lead. Phoenix began the second period brightly and Phoenix got some daylight between themselves and Bilbrook when a delightful hold up of the ball and slot through a mass of players from Eilidh Shakespeare to Emelia Emerson resulted in the latter winning a tussle with the keeper and bundling the ball away for 3-1. Bilbrook continued to challenge and, after Phoenix lost the ball easily in their own box, a shot from a tight angle made the score. Bilbrook never gave up and, with previous lessons unlearned, Phoenix drew their opponents onto them once again and suffered the consequences after when Meg could only parry a strike and Bilbrook followed up to tap home. The away team got the bit between their teeth and with five added minutes, it was an edgy, nervous period but the girls held out for a momentous win - their first in two seasons. Final score 4-3. Goals: Emelia Emerson (3), Kathryn Baylis (1).  Player of the Match was awarded to Kathryn Baylis for a strong, challenging performance upfront.

Sunday 28 September 2014

Mid West Counties Female Football League

Wyre Forest Phoenix 5 (0) v 1 (1) WCT Raiders Ladies

The WFP Ladies County team welcomed WCT Raiders and after last week’s win we went into thus game with high hopes of another victory, but after the first half showing it looked like we were not going to achieve this as we were slow to the ball not getting challenges in. Despite this we created a lot of chances but their keeper was in inspired form. We were a goal down after 5 mins, we had chances from corners but just could not connect with any to see the halftime score 0 -1. After a chat about what we expected of them in the second half we upped our game and went straight for the jugular in this half, we passed and moved like the best of them and scored 5 goals 2 for Melissa Knott (1 a penalty), 2 for Emily Taylor and 1 from Vicky Hyde which was the pick of the bunch a 30 yard screamer into the top right hand corner making the final score 5-1. Goals:  Melissa Knott (2), Emily Taylor (2), Vicky Hyde (1). Our opponents gave the girl of the game to Vicky Hyde for her spectacular goal, but in truth the whole team deserved the accolade today as it was a pure team performance.

Well done to everyone next week will be another tough test against Evesham United. .                                                                        

West Midlands Regional Women's League

Wyre Forest Phoenix 1 (0) v 5 (1) Droitwich Spa Ladies

WFP Ladies suffered their second defeat of the season to Droitwich Spa. Due to injuries and work commitments only 11 players were available for selection. Droitwich edged the half time lead at 1-0 with very little between the two teams. However, with no substitutes available WFP started to tire and struggled to deal with the pace of the Droitwich strikers. WFP did get a consolation goal before the final whistle scored by new signing Rebecca Carter.

The ladies are at home to Solihull on Sunday and will be determined to get back to winning ways