Our eagerly awaited London Senior Trophy semi-final away to Forest Hill Park was a game that was envisaged as Phoenix Sports Reserves being the underdogs after our last league meeting which we lost.
The Gaffer was away on family duties therefore Assistant Manager Martin West was given the task to lead us today, tactically all eventualities and match permutations were covered over Thursday night’s training session.
The squad itself was starting to pick itself barring the absence of midfield lynchpin Michael Osadebe & Joe Smith coming in again to play alongside skipper Sam Fitzgerald at the back, again the bench provided variably strong tactical options and we had our Club Secretary Alf Levy in attendance supporting us from start to finish which was much appreciated.
The surface at Ladywell isn’t the best however the day itself was bright and sunny which helped the pitch conditions and our football.
The game started with Forest Hill Park dictating and winning numerous corners and possession in all areas and this would eventually lead to their first goal which was an own goal from a corner.
The first half was more them than us with Afflick trying to get us going and James Boughtflower once again keeping us in the game with some exceptional saves.

The second half was a different affair certain words were spoken in the dressing room from the management team tactics adjusted and the players revitalised, from here on in we dominated the second half but just couldn’t get that vital goal as we knew they would fold once we scored.
Westy made the first tactical sub Kenny Aileru coming on for Ramel Lake in the 54 min. Forest Hill Park still threatened on the counter attack and James Boughtflower had to make 3 tremendous saves to keep us in it, with Lewis Afflick up top we always knew he would rattle the opposing defence and chances will be created.
The management made 2 more tactical subs and this is what swung the game for us as it seems the subs could see what needed to be done to win the game.
With 12 minutes to go we came alive and got stronger stretching Forest Hill Park defensively and out passing their midfield with player coach George Jones allowing the offensive players to push on, we got our goal in the 82nd minute. Who else but Lewis Afflick the goal came at the right time for us and this mentally drained Forest Hill Park.
Within 3 minutes Kenny Aileru made it 2-1, and finally Richard Sesay got his reward and some redemption from the last time we played Forest Hill Park with a cool lob to make it 3-1 in the 90th min.

Our League fixtures have now been revised so this fixture on a Monday night followed our recent cup win away to FHP. The Gaffer had to pick the strongest team possible as this was a derby and we really wanted the 3 points to give us some momentum.
We welcomed back Eddie Allsopp in midfield and Joe Smith partnered skipper Sam Fitzgerald in defence, Tarik Ibrahim was rested after his fine performance in the cup win.
The last meeting against Sporting Club Thamesmead was in the cup here where they knocked us out 1-0 in a thrilling game under the lights. Our league fixture earlier in the season at Mayplace was drawn 2-2.
This game was dominated by us as Eddie Allsopp was pulling the strings and after 16 minutes he assisted for Ramell Lake to score against his previous club. Our second goal again came from the impressive Allsopp who set up Afflick for a fine finish to make it 2-0 at half time.
The second half was similar and we had further chances to score!!!! but somehow we seemed to play as if we could score at will anytime.
The positives from the games was our game management & intelligence as we kept another clean sheet to see out the game and controlled the tempo and entertained at the same time. COYP
Our League fixture last Saturday away to Forest Hill Park was a revised fixture postponed due to the weather. The surface at Ladywell isn’t the best, however the day itself was bright and sunny which helped the pitch conditions and our football.
The team itself had some minor changes with Norwegian Fredrick Olafsen coming in for the injured Sam Scott and Joe Smith stepping into midfield to bolster our options in the middle of the park.
The game itself flew past and we were confident that after our convincing win in the London cup semi-final this would be a game that we could take all 3 points
Skipper Sam Fitzgerald opened the scoring in the 31st minute when he volleyed home following a Callum Flynn corner. Before the first half was over Tarik Ibrahim doubled the visitors lead but the best was saved for last when Callum Flynn floated his 82nd minute corner inside the far past ensuring that Phoenix would once again leave Catford with a victory. Again Phoenix Sports Reserves scored three past Forest Hill Park at The Ladywell Arena for the second time in two weeks to claim the victory and return home with maximum points. COYP

Our latest fixture versus Snodland Town was re jigged to incorporate 4 players from the first team who needed some game time due to in activity. We welcomed in Lewis Mingle, Tony Robinson, Ben Allen & our Norwegian Rock Frederick Olafsen.
With these players in the starting 11 the team looked durable adaptable and very competitive and it showed from the first 5 minute., However a lapse of concentration from left back AJ allowed the visitors to take an early lead through Liam Wilks after 9 minutes.
However our tenacity didn’t drop and we started to create chances before Johnny Miller-Annor equalised with a well taken finish after excellent work on the left from Ben Allen before half-time!! The half time whistle came at a convenient time for Snodland Town as they were literally on the floor with exhaustion.
The second half was more of the same as we were camped in the Snodland half. The Gaffer replaced Miller-Annor, Ben Allen & Richard Sesay for Afflick, Dalsan and Callum Flynn and this only galvanised us and demoralised the Snodland defence. Once again a late winner from Lewis Afflick was enough to give Phoenix the victory and with the three points we now sit comfortably in 12th place. COYP