Match Reports


Phoenix Rising 3 Kilkhampton 2

Phoenix’s second league game was against an organised and hard working Kilkhampton side. After edging the earlier exchanges, The Flames led the first half with a goal each from Dave Knight and Pat Davis.
Kilkhampton’s graft rewarded them with a goal early in the second half that halved the deficit, but a succession of quick and inventive passes found Dan Jackson running through Kilk’s defence to slot the ball into the net. Just as well too, for Kilkhampton chased the game and sound defending from Kevin O’Donovan and Adam Daw kept the score at 3-1, until the last ten minutes, when Kilkhampton scored a second and left Phoenix scrapping for the three points they just about deserved.

Phoenix Rising 10 Bradworthy 0

The Flames first game turned into an unexpected rout with no less than seven Phoenix players getting on the score sheet. And yet, judging by the early exchanges, the outcome was far from certain when Bradworthy were awarded a penalty for a foul in the area but failed to convert. A save from Jack Rich, who pushed the ball onto the crossbar, suggested Phoenix would have to be on their toes. However, the Flames settled down and passed the ball around neatly, with Pat Davis and Nathan Cox threatening down the right. Then a well placed goal by Dan Jackson opened the scoring and steady work from Shaun Cox and Glenn Coles ensured Phoenix went into the interval with a comfortable three goal margin.
The Flames were irresistible in the second half; Ryan Cox and Adam Crabb’s movement proved too much for a tiring Bradworthy defence and quick running down the flanks stretched Bradworthy to breaking point. And break they did. Garion Clarke’s industry in the middle of the field prevented any Bradworthy counter-attack and freed up Alex Kingdon and Nick Oldaker to attack from the left. Jackson grabbed a hat trick, while Crabb claimed a brace. Best moment: Ryan Cox’s quick turn to leave the Bradworthy defence stranded and an audacious chip from just inside the area summed up Phoenix’s first competitive match.


(Pre-season) Tregadillet 1 Phoenix Rising 2

For their second pre-season game, Phoenix found themselves playing against an attack- minded Tregadillet team. Despite lots of possession in the Tregadillet half and numerous shots, the Flames struggled to press home the advantage. Then a turning point in the game: some good running down the left allowed Tregadillet to chip Jack Rich from inside the area.
Tregadillet continued to attack but solid defending kept them from doubling their tally. By the second half, Phoenix began to dominate again and some effective work down the left drew a foul on Pat Davis. The resultant free-kick found Davis’ head and he deftly flicked the ball into the back of the net.
The game was always an open one, and the Flames rode their luck a few times with Jack Rich pulling off two fine saves and Tom Lyle and skipper Nathan Cox making some vital tackles. However, it was Nick Oldaker who saved the best for last in this memorable contest: running on to meet a pass, he drove the ball into the top left corner from thirty yards out in what was almost the final kick of the game.


(Pre-season) North Hill 2 Phoenix Rising 2

A hard fought encounter by both teams resulted in the fairest possible result: an entertaining draw. North Hill’s organisation and hard running was productive in the first half and a brace from pacey Dave Sharpe saw the hosts go into the interval two goals up.
By the second half, Phoenix began to gel in what was their first game together and the Flames enjoyed the lions’ share of possession. Phoenix pressure from midfield produced a powerful drive from Dave Egford that found the top corner of the net. With the wind in their sails and confidence rising, the Flames took advantage of a tiring North Hill team and Dave Sharpe (playing for both teams this game) once again found the net in the final ten minutes of the game.