This weekend was another rewarding and proud moment for Phoenix as out under 11 girls team played in the Mercian League cup final at the HDanywhere Community Stadium in Malvern.

Saturday 21 March 2015

Wyre Forest Phoenix v Pershore town

The under 9 Girls had another victory this week with Holly Durbin named Girl of the Game.

Wyre Forest Phoenix 1 v 5 Kewford Eagles West

Phoenix under 13's played top of the table Kewford and gave it all they had. They came out of the blocks fast with Angel Childe working hard putting the defence under pressure. However they didn’t really have any clear cut chances until Izzy Smith tried a superb effort with her left foot; narrowly missing the target. Kewford then came back into the game and when Phoenix failed to track a runner in the box, Kewford made them pay. Despite Phoenix getting the ball down and passing it around, Kewford scored another 3 without reply. Emily Crump only managed 5 minutes after coming back from an ankle injury too soon.

After half time, Phoenix looked more dangerous with 2 up front. Another failed clearance allowed Kewford to score a fifth early on but Phoenix didn’t give up and got their rewards when Angel Childe bravely challenged a 50/50 ball with the keeper (coming off worse with a knee injury), however the ball fell to Jess Jenkins who calmly slotted the ball away for a Phoenix goal and to finish 1-5. Goal: Jess Jenkins. Player of the match was very difficult but the team voted Bethany Savage for her amazing saves throughout the game.

The score line does not reflect Phoenix's performance against a quality Kewford side, they battled throughout and never gave up.

The Under 14’s were away at Marston Green this week and playing a Double Header

Marston Green Girls 0 v 1 Wyre Forest Phoenix.

In the first game the Flyers started with a new formation which didn't 'click' to start with but the Flyers were strong and held in there until after 10 mins when the team started to settle in to the game. It was after 12 minutes that Sydney Harris crossed the ball into the goalie and Lucy picked up the rebound and coolly put the ball in the back of the net. As this was a double header the game was 35 minutes, and the Flyers kept on the pressure after half time. Marston Green were defending hard and holding off the challenge to finish at 0-1, but left the Flyers with a couple of injured players. Goal: Lucy McLatchy (1).Well done girls and particularly to Girl of The Game Chloe, who played a strong game and was in the thick of it, using her head well.

Wyre Forest Phoenix 2 v 0 Marston Green Girls

The second of today's games saw Phoenix with a couple of changes dues to the first game injuries. Again the Flyers were on a charge, but Marston Green were still defending strongly. The Flyers had the pace and the measure of Marston but it still took 19 minutes before the deadlock was broken. The Flyers were driving at the Marston goal again and it was Weronika Pawlowska that put her name on the ball and guided it in to the back of the net in a great example of ball under control, looking and shooting in to the bottom corner. Straight from the kick off the Flyers were on fire, won the ball, controlled it and Sydney Harris took it down the line. A great cross in to the box was met by the hand of a Marston Green player and the hand ball was given. Fleur Connolly set up for the penalty and hit it to the left of the goalie and straight to the back of the net. The Flyers fought on until the end, the game was still physical but the Flyers held on to the end. In the dying minutes Emily Pitt made a great save from a Marston Green free kick to finish 2-0, and claim 6 points from the morning. Goals: Weronika Pawlowska (1), Fleur Connolly (1).

Sunday 22 March 2015

Mercian League U11 Girls Ron Handy Memorial Shield

Kewford Eagles South 3 (0) v 1 (0) Wyre Forest Phoenix After Penalties.

The Under 11’s Cup final day had finally arrived, and the minibus that was taking the girls to Malvern Town Football Club was filled with both nerves and excitement. After losing 2-1 against this same team previously in the league, we all knew that this was going to be a tough game, but it was well within the teams reach to beat the Kewford team. We kicked off the game and the defence originally made up of Megan Hancher, Ellie Symons and Phoebe Reed were solid. We were strong in the tackles and were ready to give Kewford a challenge. Midfield made up of Emily Carpenter and Holly Tew were helping out the defence out as well as some marvellous runs and attacks in readiness for Olivia Wood as our striker to pick the ball up and try and put it in the back of the net. The second half began and the girls came out with just as much fight as they had in the first. The determination and commitment that the girls showed on the pitch was as much as any manager could ever ask for from their players. Lois Lawley and Meghan Durbin coming on from the bench both matched the high standard that the girls had already set. Our goalkeeper Amy Barnett also made some crucial saves to keep us in the game and was just brilliant. With it still at 0-0 we had to continue into extra time which then led to penalties when that finished 0-0. Penalties were something that the girls were always dreading the prospect off, but to get this far in the game and the cup was such a big achievement in itself. Unfortunately the girls lost 3-1 on penalties, always a cruel way to end a cup run. We could not knock the effort that the girls showed in this game and have not only left us as managers extremely proud, but have also shown their friends, family, massive group of supporters and club what they can really do. Well done girls, you have done yourselves proud. 

Midwest Counties Female Football League

Ludlow Ladies 1 (0) v 4 (1) Wyre Forest Phoenix

Today WFP Ladies County had a tough game away to Ludlow Ladies, a team whose home form has been good this season. We turned up today with a squad of 13, bolstered by 3 of the dual signed players from the West Midlands ladies team and 1 of these players proved to be the difference between the 2 sides bagging all 4 goals. We played some good football today with the passing and moving in true evidence. Everyone was enjoying themselves, which in turn made them play with more ease. Phoenix had 2 goals before Ludlow came back to score just one goal. Although we won 1 -4 we could have had more with us hitting the bar twice in the first half, and a couple of efforts either just wide or over the bar. Girl of the game today went to Tracy Evans. A special thanks to Tracy, Kelly and Kirsty Roberts, who scored all 4 goals today.

Next week at home to Bartestree.