Village Manchester FC 1 – 7 East End Phoenix
GFSN Championship League – Group B
Venue: Trinity college Manchester
Report by: Steve Groom
Phoenix travelled the 250 miles to Manchester from the capital in numbers. A strong squad of 16 players arrived at a pristine 4G pitch in buoyant mood. The sun was out and bearing down on the two brightly dressed teams. As village and Phoenix began there preparation.
Manager Stephen Michael Groom got the troops ready for action with some slick warm up drills and relayed the orders of the day.
However as the game kicked off Phoenix found themselves 1-0 down within minutes. An audacious run from a plucky village winger bounced and fumbled The ball down the Phoenix left fizzing the ball across our box which a village striker calmly slotted away.
But what we know about this Phoenix team is they can rise from the ashes of despair in any circumstance. The calm and collected Harrison Bailey and Phil got Phoenix underway by wrestling control of the centre of the pitch, which they owned for the rest of the game. This foothold would be the building block for Phoenix to dictate the game. New signing Rash would now take the initiative and play a perfectly waited ball through to No 9 Jack Bailey to slot home, 1-1
Another new bright spark for the team Callum who’s industrious wing play was causing havoc for the opposition right back would next play his part as he gets bundled over in the box for a Phoenix penalty. Jack Bailey smoothly gives the goalie the eyes and slams the ball into the back of the net 2-1 Phoenix.
Whilst Phoenix now take command of the game another new signing Alistair on his 11 a side debut bows out for Tom Simpson after playing a confident and stylish 30 minutes. The change has an immediate effect as fair weather Tom Simpson dogged pressure wins the ball back for Phoenix for a stunning through ball from Harrison Bailey to Jack Bailey to get his hatrick within 30 minutes, 3-1 Phoenix.
As the second half peters out, Phoenix really up there game passing and moving the ball at a pace the opposition can’t get near.
Half Time, manager Stephen Michael Groom cant praise enough the stylish hardworking turnaround completed by the team, with a message of more of the same….
The game restarts how it finished in the first half with Phoenix players moving the ball round at pace and with style, not long before another Rash and Bailey combinations makes the score line 4-1, 5-1, 6-1
The two were unplayable with identical combinations and through balls terrorising the village defence.
Now time to credit the defence who snuffed out any opposition forays forward with captain Stephen Michael Groom and fellow centre Neill Suckling win battles in the air, on the ground and outpacing the opposition attackers. Wingbacks James Little, Paul O’Connell and Felix Caldeira calmly won the ball back and more importantly turned defence into attack by then playing the ball forward to Phoenix shirts. Goalie Niall O’Domhagain distribution throughout the game was top notch delivery quality quick balls to Phoenix players eager to get the ball forward.
Finally a corner from Phoenix causes the village keeper to snatch at the ball, allowing captain Stephen Michael Groom to retrieve the ball and place it at James Little talented feet who perfectly chips the goalie and finish the rout, 7-1 Phoenix
Firstly I’d like to thank Manchester for being great hosts and wish them good luck in there future games. Phoenix look forward to a challenging LUL fixture next weekend against early league leaders London Romans.
Leave a Reply