Phoenix surprised.

Saturday 4 October 2014

Kidderminster Lions v Wyre Forest Phoenix Boys

The Under 9 Boys team played their best game of football so far. The team worked together and kept to their positions well. John Brennan and Callum Lockett did well in defense, always moving and marking the other team. Finlay Powell made some great runs up the pitch keeping the opposition on their toes. Tyler-Jay Wilding had a cracking shot from outside the box, but it was saved by the keeper. Madison Collins played great in goal, making some good saves when needed. Joseph Evans, Thomas Robinson and Brandon Williams all worked well up front and in the midfield with some great runs and shots on goal. Finley Preston and Jake Tew fought hard up front, nipping the ball from the other team. The game was a pleasure to watch, keeping the parents and coaches in suspense. Well-played boys, we are all very proud.

Kewford Eagles 0 v 2 Wyre Forest Phoenix Raiders Girls

The Under 10 Raiders began this game with an unbeaten record and straight from the off showed the opposition that were not willing to give it up without a fight. Some resolute defending from Isabelle Gibbons and Libby Drapier ensured that Kewford’s chances on goal were limited whilst some great counter attacking from Rosie Lawley and Abi Reeves really gave the opposition something to think about. It was nearing half time however before Wyre Forest Phoenix Raiders got their break through after a spell of Pressure from Kewford, Raiders broke away through the middle... Supported by Isabelle gibbons, Rosie Lawley and Abi Reeves combined nicely to release Isabelle Gibbons through on goal and showing great composure under pressure from the retreating Kewford defence hammered home her shot into the bottom corner past the helpless goalkeeper.

The second half began with Kewford showing a new found determination and placing a long spell of pressure upon the Raiders goal forcing Daisy Jenkins to make some excellent saves. However the second Raiders came much like the first. Following a spell of pressure from Kewford Abi Reeves and Rosie Lawley combined well on the counter attack before Rosie Lawley avoided a last ditch tackle from a Kewford defender to place home her shot in the far corner. Final Score 0-2. Goals: Isabelle Gibbons (1), Rosie Lawley (1).

Wyre Forest Phoenix Girls 1 v 1 Withymoor Colts

The Under 11’s game against Withymoor was always going to be a tough game to try and win, with both teams having equal abilities. We kicked off and the girls were looking ready to the fight for a win. We had a lot of possession, and a couple of shots. We were getting the ball up the pitch well but were unable to lay off the shot due to the solid defence that we were playing against. We went into half time with the score still at 0-0. We kicked off the second half and yet again had a lot of possession and more shots than before, however, we just couldn't seem to find the back of the net. After about 15 minutes Withymoor managed to snatch a goal to make the score 1-0. As frustrating as it was, the girls still battled and did not allow their heads to go down. Chance after chance and still nothing. Then Phoenix's luck seemed to change, a cross was put across the box and Mollie Moore managed to get onto the end of it, to score her first goal of the season and to make the score 1-1. Even though this gave the girls a boost, by this point we did not have enough time to be able to get a winning goal. Final score 1-1. Goals: Molly Moore (1). Girl of the game went to Ellie Symons for her constant battling, great chasing/running with the ball and crosses into the box. The girls played really well, and the effort shown made us very proud. Well done girls.

Redditch United 2 v 1 Wyre Forest Phoenix Girls

Despite the terrible weather conditions Phoenix Under 13's and Redditch both played some lovely football. Phoenix suffered a setback when Jazmin Cartwright injured her ankle in the warm up, however player of the match Phoebe Oliver stepped in after only two minutes and looked comfortable. Phoenix defended the goal at the bottom of the hill first and this enable Redditch to play long ball and chase, however Bethany Savage produced a number of fantastic saves to keep the score 0-0 at half time with Phoenix not really creating any chances on goal. Second half, Phoenix had the downward slope in their favour and half way through Angel Childe pounced on a mix up between the defender and the goalkeeper to slot home and give Phoenix the lead. With only ten minutes left Phoenix began to tire and this showed in their decision making. The defence allowed the Redditch striker to run through and equalize easily. Then with only 4 minutes to go, again Phoenix didn’t track their players and the Redditch striker again slotted the ball under Bethany Savage. Phoenix pushed for an equalizer to take the game into extra time, however they just ran out of energy. Final score 1-2 . Goals: Angel Childe (1)

Lightwood Lions 1 v 2 Wyre Forest Phoenix Girls

The Under 14’s were away again. With just 11 players it was a relief to see Lightwoods were down to 10 players, so the Flyers had a sub as we played 10v10, with a stand in keeper. The game got off to a strong start with Fleur Connolly standing in as Goalie. The girls up front did a great job, with lots of near misses and shots on target saved by the useful Lightwoods Goalie The Flyers goal was troubled little. New team member Weronika Pawlowska had a good game sending at least 2 shots over the cross bar, but the first half finished goalless.

Second half saw Emily cover goals. Fleur was now up front and it took her just 8 minutes to make a difference with a solid goal after a lovely cross from Sydney Harris Lightwoods came out fighting and put a lot of pressure on the Flyers who had it covered but a shot from Lightwoods wasn't quite collected by Emily and it slipped through her legs for the equaliser. The Flyers kept up the pressure and upped the pace, and Lucy was rewarded for all of her efforts after the 28th minute from a useful cross in to her which she easily put past the Goalie. The final whistle came for the win at 1-2. Goals: Fleur Connolly (1), Lucy McLatchley (1). Great game Flyers, well played and a fantastic team spirit and effort. Player of the Match was Emily Nash for doing a really good job and stepping into goal.

FC Reedswood 5 v 0 Wyre Forest Phoenix Girls

The Under 18s had to battle in the pouring rain with only nine players against an unbeaten FC Reedswood side. They held off the continual pressure from their hosts for 25 mins before succumbing to a bundled in goal from a corner. With a two player deficit, Phoenix found it hard to close down their opposition and allowed a runner from a throw in, space to fire home for a 0-2 half time score. For nearly twenty minutes of the second half, Phoenix worked their socks off to limit chances but Reedswood increased their lead and with only four mins to go managed to hit the back of the net two more times as the understrength side tired. Despite the score line, this was a committed, battling performance by all the girls on the pitch and under normal circumstances could have easily gone the other way. Final score. 0-5.

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Sunday 5 October 2014

Hereford and Worcester Girls and Women's County League

Wyre Forest Phoenix Ladies County 3 (0) v 1(1) Evesham United Ladies

Today the WFP Ladies County team were at home to last year’s runners up Evesham United. We knew from the start we were in for a tough game and that’s exactly what it turned out to be despite the visitors only having 10 players. We kicked off and although we created chances none of them were converted, but it was our opponents who played long ball over the top caught us out and we were 1-0 down. We kicked off and had a couple of chances but the keeper saved with ease halftime score 1-0. The second half, as last week, saw us winning first and second balls, giving us a platform to attack them at every opportunity and it was not long before Emily Taylor managed a scuffed left foot shot in the area which trickled into the net to equalise. Sadly defender Chase Pheysey-Hoban hit the ground and had to be carried from the pitch. Down to 10 players each the team seemed to solidify and within minutes Vicky Hyde found herself one on one with the keeper and slotted her shot coolly into the bottom left hand corner. Evesham kicked off and within 3 mins had a penalty which keeper Charleigh Lowe saved. We rode our luck a little with Evesham missing the target with only the keeper to beat. Then with a great attack down the left the ball fell to Melissa Knott who fired a glorious shot into the corner of the net. With around 15 mins to play Evesham stepped up their game but with some resolute defending and some fine saves by keeper Charleigh the game ended with us winning 3-1. Goals: Emily Taylor (1), Vicky Hyde (1), Melissa Knott (1). Girl of the game as nominated by our opponents went to Emilia Sinden. Well done to all, for great result where the only downside was a knee injury to our Captain Chase who is now on crutches. We wish her a speedy recovery.

Next game away to Welland so keep up the good work ladies.

West Midlands Regional Women's League

Wyre Forest Phoenix 3 (2) v 5 (2) Solihull Ladies

WFP Ladies team were disappointed to come away losers after putting in such a great team effort. The game was very close and both teams were creating lots of chances.

The game started well as Sadie Brown opened her account for WFP on 5 minutes when she latched onto a lovely cross from Kirsty Roberts at the back post. The visitors had two great ball players in the centre who were causing us problems and equalised 5 minutes later when one of them spayed the ball into the right hand side for their winger to beat the defence and beat the keeper Tracy Evans. Heidi Mitchell put us back in front within a few minutes but then found herself wearing the goalkeeper gloves after Tracy was knocked unconscious and after treatment played no further part in the game. Just before the break the visitors again levelled up from a set piece corner.

The second half WFP were in good form, creating some great link up play but only to see their shots miss the target. The visitors however managed to get another two goals but WFP never gave up, pressing as much as they could and were relieved to be awarded a penalty, but disappointment followed as the keeper made a great save. Rebecca Carter did get one past the keeper to make the game 3-4 and it very much looked like Phoenix could get the draw as they pushed the visitors into their own half, but Solihull defended well and with only a few minutes left sealed the game with the cruellest of deflections that caught the keeper off balance. Final score 3-5. Goals: Sadie Brown (1), Heidi Mitchell (1), Rebecca Carter (1).