Clinical Merstham see off Phoenix on Saturday
Phoenix Sports suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat to promotion-chasing Merstham on Saturday, with two quick second-half goals sealing the home side’s fate and effectively ending the contest.
Darren Anslow was forced into one change from the side that won at Herne Bay with Aaron Clarke replacing the suspended Will Grieveson in defence.
And Phoenix started brightly, looking competitive and causing Merstham problems in the early exchanges. In the fifth minute, Perri Iandolo broke down the right and delivered a dangerous cross into the box, only for it to be cleared at the last moment before reaching its intended target
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Phoenix continued to threaten and almost capitalised on a defensive mistake in the 24th minute. A short back-pass allowed Richard Pingling to pounce, beating Merstham goalkeeper Rob Tolfrey to the ball, but his effort was blocked before it could find the net.
The hosts enjoyed a strong spell as the half progressed, with some neat build-up play involving Pingling and Dominic Morgan-Griffiths creating an opening for Jamarie Brissett. However, under pressure, Brissett could not find the target, firing over from inside the box.
Despite a competitive first-half for Phoenix, it was Merstham who took the lead just before halftime. Korrey Henry’s deflected effort wrong-footed Sam Freeman and trickled into the corner of the net, giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage at the break.
Phoenix came out for the second half hoping to find an early leveller and had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 55th minute when the ball fell kindly to Pingling in front of goal. However, hesitation proved costly as he was unable to find the decisive finish.
Just a minute later, Phoenix were made to pay for the missed chance. A pinpoint cross from the right was met by Aaron Jenkins, who finished clinically to double Merstham’s lead.
The game was effectively put to bed three minutes later when Merstham struck again. A driven corner caught Freeman off-guard, and Dean Gunner rose highest to head home and make it 3-0 before the hour mark.
Phoenix pushed for a response and came close in the 71st minute when Iandolo’s cross found Brissett, whose powerful volley was blocked. The rebound fell to substitute Will Efambe, but his follow-up effort flew across goal and wide.
That was as good as it got for Phoenix as Merstham managed the remainder of the game professionally, seeing out a 3-0 victory to strengthen their play-off push.
Despite the setback, results elsewhere worked in Phoenix’s favour, meaning they remain six points adrift of 18th-placed Littlehampton.
Phoenix will look to bounce back on Tuesday night when they host Erith Town in a crucial local derby under the lights (19:45 KO).
Phoenix Sports: Freeman, Griffin, Clarke (Efambe 60), Belford, Goodman (c), Pritchard, Morgan-Griffiths, Iandolo, Anderson (Elliott 72), Brissett, Pingling
Attendance: 117
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