As the teams came out on a cloudy night, both started the match full of energy and enthusiasm. For the first 15 minutes both Phoenix and Tilbury were working hard, and creating lots of chances.

The first clear chance for Phoenix came from striker Frankie Sawyer, who's cracking shot just zipped over the crossbar. Then it was the turn of our other new forward, Jack Barham, this time clattering the near side post. For most of the first half the lads in green worked hard, creating chances and moving forward. After a last minute free-kick, the teams went in at half-time 0-0.

Five changes at half-time

Phoenix Manager, Steve O'Boyle made five changes to the original starting line-up. Youngster Alfie Aldridge coming on for Frankie Sawyer, who had taken a knock late on in the first half, alongside Richard Seixas for Kweku Ansah, Terry Murray for James Fitchett, Dajon Golding for Conrad Lee and Sadiq Balarbe for Adem Ramadan. Whilst Tilbury changed their entire side.

Even with the changes, Tilbury looked fresher which was to be expected. Still there were brief moments of energy from the Phoenix side, including a lovely piece of work down the wing from Dajon Golding. which resulted in another cracking effort from Jack Barham who had continued the second half as he finished the first, full of energy and working hard. This was followed by a great header from midfielder Zak Bryon, who narrowly missed.

Search for an equaliser

In what seemed like Tilbury's first attack of the second half, the side from Thurrock slotted home to take the lead. Strong words from the dugout followed as O'Boyle pushed his team to dig deep and search for an equaliser.

As the rain began to hammer down, much like against Welling United last Tuesday night, a whipping cross from Dajon Golding narrowly missed the head of Jack Barham. Another couple of changes for Phoenix, Tony Robinson for Danny Young on 60 minutes and Eniye Amgbaduba for Jack Barham injected some fresh legs for Phoenix.

Steve Phillips once again made some impressive and crucial saves throughout the second half to keep the score to 0-1.

Assistant Manager, Paul Bryon said: "We had a good first half, with some good chances. In the second half, against a completely new side from Tilbury we could have done more, but its to be expected when we make lots of changes too".

Final score:
Phoenix Sports 0 - 1 Tilbury FC
Unknown scorer (65)

Phoenix Team: Steve Phillips, Ryan Andrews, Danny Young (Tony Robinson, 60), James Fitchett (Terry Murray 45), Ashley Probets, Adem Ramadan (Sadiq Balarbe, 45), Kweku Ansah (Richard Seixas, 45), Zak Bryan, Conrad Lee (Davon Golding, 45), Frankie Sawyer (Alfie Aldridge, 45), Jack Barham (Eniye Amgbaduba, 70).

Subs: Terry Murray, Dajon Golding, Richard Seixas, Alfie Aldridge, Tony Robinson, Enyie Amgbaduba, Sadiq Balarbe.

Tilbury team: Louis Hawes (Clarke Bogard, 45), Charlie Little (Tom Dance, 45), Trialist (Joe Turpin, 45), Aaran Waters (Danny Smith, 45) Trialist (Trialist, 45), Toch Singh (Lewis Jaggs, 45), Trialist (Emiel Aiken, 45), Jack Carlile (Danny Norton, 45), Trialist (Michael Salako, 45), Trialist (Ryan Melaugh, 45), Kurt Smith (Trialist, 45)

Subs: Clarke Bogard, Tom Dance, Joe Turpin, Danny Smith, Lewis Jaggs, Emiel Aiken, Danny Norton, Michael Salako, Ryan Melaugh, 2 x Trialists.

To see photos from the game, supplied by Alan Willis Photography, click here

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