It has to be said that there were excellent performances all round this week, although frustrating those performances did not always produce points.

Saturday 18 October 2014

Wyre Forest Phoenix Raiders 4 v 1 Kinver Colts

The unbeaten Under 10 Raiders came head to head with a Kinver team who were also unbeaten in the league this season. Wyre Forest Phoenix Raiders started as per usual with a strong intensity about their play and quickly set about restricting the Kinver Colts possession to a minimum. It was not long before Rosie Lawley fired Wyre Forest phoenix raiders ahead with a powerful drive from outside the box. The Raiders set about finding their second goal straight away and quickly Caitlin Stanton fed a ball between the Kinver defence which was pounced on and converted by Abi Reeves. Despite a short spell of pressure from Kinver who were kept at bay by some resolute defending from Libby Drapier, Isabelle gibbons and Georgia baker the half time score was still at 2-0 Kinver came out at the start of the second half looking like a different team, placing a long spell of pressure upon the Wyre Forest Phoenix Raiders goal and forcing some great saves from Daisy Jenkins, they eventually pulled the score back to 2-1.This gave the Raiders the shock they needed and with 10 minutes left to play Phoenix once again dominated. 2 quick goals from Libby Drapier and Isabelle Gibbons, who both made attacking runs from defence, put Wyre Forest Phoenix Raiders back in a commanding 3 goal lead. Final score 4-1. Goals: Rosie Lawley (1), Abi Reeves (1), Libby Drapier (1), Isabelle Gibbons (1). Girl of the game went to Georgia Baker for her outstanding work rate and all round contribution to the team. Unbeaten in 4 games the girls sit in 2nd place in the league.

Redditch United Girls 0 v 2 Wyre Forest Phoenix Girls

The Under 11’s kicked off the match and had a lot of possession throughout the first half. We had a couple of chances but were unsuccessful in finding the back of the net on a number of occasions. Redditch also had a couple of shots too which were very well saved by Emily Carpenter. Although we had a few chances I did not believe that they were playing as well as they could do and were in places looking weak. The first half finished and after a good team talk at half time, the girls started the second half with a bit more 'go' about them. Our attacks were stronger, and the girls were battling more. Our first goal came from Holly Tew, who hit the ball well and strong to put us in the lead. This goal this motivated the girls even more, tackles were made and there was some fantastic passing inside the box, with shots flying around but just missing the net. Our second goal came from another bit of great passing which then got intercepted by a Redditch player. However, Mollie Moore was on hand who then nipped the ball off the Redditch player, took one touch, and scored by putting it through the goalkeepers legs to make the final score 2-0. Goals: Holly Tew (1), Mollie Moore (1). Overall, the second half performance was definitely an improvement from the first and the girls deserved the win this week. There were a lot of positives from this game too. Girl of the game went to Emily Carpenter, who kept the team in the game with some vital saves.

Warndon Village Wildcats 2 v 1 Wyre Forest Phoenix

The Under 13 Phoenix travelled to Warndon with a couple of key players missing, however played fantastically and were unlucky not to come away with anything. Phoenix took the game to Warndon and had the ball in the back of the net, only for Chloe Reading to have been stood offside. A few minutes before half time, the Warndon midfielder ran past 4 Phoenix players who were caught napping and slotted in from a tight angle to give them a 1-0 lead at half time. Phoenix were not downhearted, at this point last year they were 3 down. Warndon began to control the beginning of the second half and Bethany Savage produced a world class save when the Warndon midfielder burst through one on one. Phoenix were buoyed by the fact they were still in the game and when Angel Childe passed the ball forward, substitute Brooke Ashdown placed her shot into the bottom corner; her first goal for Phoenix. Warndon looked shaky and Phoenix pushed on for a winner, however it was the Phoenix defence who got in each other’s way which allowed the Warndon midfielder to run through and score what was the winning goal. With only a couple of minutes to go, Phoenix through everything at it but couldn't find an equaliser and the result did not do the game justice at 2-1. Goal: Brooke Ashdown. Phoenix now have a 2 week break before taking on Redditch united for 2 consecutive weeks.

Wyre Forest Phoenix Flyers Girls 0 v 2 Cookley Sports

The Under 14’s were at home to Cookley in the local derby, with 2 of the Flyers players unable to make it. But the weather was good, the girls were in good spirits, though a little nervous and we had some subs.

The game started with lots of very energetic and strong play from both sides and the intensity of the first 10-15 minutes was amazing. Both sides were battling hard with some really good defensive play from both and the Flyers looked like they might break through. However it was a tackle in the box that led to Cookley getting what was quite a soft penalty in the 24th minute. Cookley lined up and Jazzy was on her line looking strong, she went the right way but the Cookley striker buried it in to the bottom corner. The Flyers heads went down a little and that led to some fumbling in the box 3 minutes later and Cookley managed to sneak in a second. The Flyers then dug deep and found some reserves and came out fighting, piling on the pressure and Shiraz Hempstock had a chance on target against her old squad which went wide, along with Fleur Connolly’s in the last 2 minutes of the first half. Based on the last 10 minutes of the first half all was to play for in the second half. Both teams battled hard, but were starting to flag due to the sheer effort from the first half and gaps started to appear in midfield, but Cookley didn't trouble the Flyers goalie again, mostly due to fantastic defensive play, particularly from Brooke Harris. The Flyers kept battling and although the play was scrappy at times it was clear that they just needed to hook up a couple of moves to get things back and attempts by were all encouraging but the Flyers just couldn't pull it out of the bag. Final score was a 0-2 win for Cookley. Really well done to player of the match Brooke Harris.

Wyre Forest Phoenix Girls 2 v 3 Gillway Girls

The Under 18 team had their lead blown away on Saturday against Gillway Girls. After coming from behind after half time to take the lead, a couple of freakish goals, in a highly windswept game, made all the difference and Phoenix succumbed to a last minute defeat after playing admirably against a top side. Final score 2-3. Goals: Kathryn Baylis (2).

Sunday 19 October 2014

West Midlands Regional Women's League

Rubery Ladies 3 (1) v 2 (0) Wyre Forest Phoenix Ladies

WFP Ladies team travelled to top of the table Rubery, who are unbeaten in their games to date, so they knew it would be a tough game, especially away. Earlier in the season they drew 1-1 on their first encounter. The game got off to a good start, playing a 4-5-1 formation which gave us good control in the middle of the field, setting up lone striker Kirsty Roberts on a couple of good chances, but we failed to capitalise on the good teamwork. Rubery then stepped up their game and forced a good chance which was cleared off the line by Molly Maguire. However, a few minutes later (25), the home side got the better of us down the right and a lovely cross into the 6yd box gave a simple tap-in to the bottom left. WFP kept the pressure on and showed some great control but the half time position meant we were 1-0 down.

The second half was an even better performance and again Molly Maguire was forced to clear off the goal line only this time it fell into the path of their striker who blasted in from a tight angle. WFP switched to a 4-4-2 to try and get back a goal and welcomed back Kirsty Jones, who was awarded player of the match by the opposition. This happened on 60 minutes when Kirsty Roberts and Kirsty Jones linked up from a throw in and Roberts crossed the ball into the box for Chelsea Mudge to finish and get us back into the game. Rubery were having none of it though and 5 minutes later extended their lead to 3-1. Usually teams then think that’s it, game over, however Phoenix never gave up and Chelsea was denied her second as she linked up with Jones only to see her shot hit the post and rebound out. WFP certainly felt they were the better team and created more chances and on 80 minutes Heidi Mitchell screamed a free kick into the top corner from 35 yards.

As we battled for an equaliser we were awarded a free kick in the dying minutes only to see it again hit the woodwork and rebound out to be cleared. Rubery clinched the win at 3-2, but we certainly gave them a good game and the team performance was excellent. Goals: Kirsty Jones (1), Heidi Mitchell (1).