Second-half goals earn Sevenoaks the points
Phoenix Sports suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Sevenoaks Town on Saturday, with two quick-fire second-half goals deciding the game.
Phoenix manager Darren Anslow made one change to the side that triumphed over Hythe Town a week earlier, with new signing Henry Griffin making his first start in place of Harvey Brown. Fellow newcomer Tyler Anderson began the game on the bench.
Phoenix started brightly, controlling possession and dictating the tempo in the opening stages. In the eighth minute, they carved out the first real chance of the game. Perri Iandolo’s sublime diagonal ball found Richard Pingling, who raced down the right and picked out Gavin Quintyne.
The midfielder attempted a first-time shot but stepped on the ball before dragging a second effort wide.
Iandolo came close himself three minutes later, curling a 30-yard free-kick narrowly past the post after Isaac Thompson had been fouled.
After Phoenix's promising start, Sevenoaks grew into the game and began to test Max Huxter in the Sports’ goal. In the 16th minute, Phoenix gave away possession in midfield, and within two passes, the hosts were through on goal. Thankfully for Phoenix, Huxter reacted superbly to smother the danger.
Sevenoaks continued to press, with the excellent Huxter making two close-range saves to keep the scores level going into half-time.
Manager Darren Anslow made a change at the break, introducing new signing Anderson in place of Quintyne. However, it was Sevenoaks who almost took the lead moments after the restart when a cross from the left clipped the top of Huxter’s crossbar.
Phoenix’s defence held firm until the 64th minute, when Sevenoaks broke the deadlock through Josh Wisson. His dangerous inswinging corner looped over Huxter and found the back of the net without a touch. There was some frustration in the Phoenix ranks over whether the corner should have been awarded, but in truth, the goal had been coming.
Just two minutes later, Sevenoaks doubled their lead. Warren Mfula latched onto a through ball from Rodney Eruotor, broke clear, and calmly slotted past Huxter to make it 2-0.
Phoenix tried to mount a response, coming close in the 74th minute when substitute Will Efambe cut inside and fired just wide after a slick move involving Griffin and Pritchard.
However, Sevenoaks’ defence stood strong, and as Phoenix chased the game, Huxter continued to impress in goal, denying James Jeffrey with a brilliant point-blank save after a swift Sevenoaks counterattack.
Despite his heroics, Phoenix were unable to find a way back into the match, and Sevenoaks ran out 2-0 winners. Darren Anslow’s men will look to bounce back on Saturday, 11 January, when they travel to face high-flying Beckenham Town.
Phoenix: Huxter, Clarke (Cheeseman 83), Turner, Pritchard, Griffin, Martin (c) (Elliott 83), Iandolo, Quintyne (Anderson 46), Dalling (51), Thompson, Pingling (Campbell 73)
Booked: Pritchard, Pingling, Quintyne
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