Phoenix Sports Reserves welcomed Stonewall FC to the Mayplace Ground for this London FA Senior Trophy tie and found out quite quickly that this was not going to be a walk in the park when the visitors took a shock early lead. Despite the hosts starting the stronger, they switched off on 7 minutes leaving Jehmeil Lemonius free at the far post to header a deep cross past Liam Rankin for the opening goal. 0-1

Phoenix dominated the play for the rest of the game from then on. Numerous crosses were put into the box but each one was too near the keeper, who was able to collect every time. George Whitelock and Connor McCormack saw efforts fly high into the netting surround behind the goal.

Just before the break Phoenix levelled the game. Some good play out wide by McCormack led to a pull back to the edge of the box. Jonny Miller collected it but had a wall of defenders in his way. With his left foot he stroked the ball elegantly into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance. 1-1

Fresh from a half-time rollocking for wasteful play, Phoenix flew out of the traps in the second-half and a fine flowing move led to them taking the lead in the opening few minutes.
McCormack played in Jonny Miller, who danced past a few defenders out wide before driving the ball across the box. After evading everyone in the centre George Whitelock collected it on the far side. He side-stepped his defender, who promptly brought him down. Penalty. George stepped up himself to fire the ball into the net and give Phoenix the lead. 2-1

With Phoenix in control substitutions and tactical changes were made. Oliver Andrews had a fine game in the centre, he is improving with every game, and he was replaced by Quendrim Murselaj. Charlie Tagg came on for McCormack and Josh Jackson came on for Whitelock.

The changes didn't afttect Phoenix in any negative way at all and the hosts even improved for the final stages of the game.

On the hour mark it was 3-1. Jacob Erskine glanced a header onto the post where it then rebounded along the line, before just crossing it. The keeper made a last gasp attempt to clear it but most could see it had gone in. All eyes went across to the linesman for his confirmation but his lack of signals led to the game continuing. A little bit of convincing from the Phoenix Media man saw the Lino call the Ref over to confirm that a goal should be recorded. It was. 3-1 I'll claim the assist on that one.

By now Jonny Miller and Josh Jackson were murdering our visitors at every opportunity, goal 4 was close to coming. Quendrim was looking sharp at Quarterback and our defence was solid although not often needed.

With ten to play the 4th goal did come and it was a fine solo effort from Joshua Jackson. Receiving the ball on the right wing he beat 4 or 5 men before knocking the ball past the keeper. A nice finish to a decent Phoenix performance.

Our Reserves were just to good for the opposition today. When we passed the ball around they just could not comptete. As the game went on we got better and better and deservedly have a place in the next round.

Two 4-1 wins in a row.

FULL-TIME - Phoenix Sports Reserves 4-1 Stonewall FC