BackSun 08 Mar 2020
Wyrley Juniors Wanderers
Four Oaks Phoenix U21's
O Roberts (62' OG)
4
6
S Ward (5'), (18'), (58'), G Etchells (39'), (42'), (57')
Great win for Phoenix U13
Steve Ward
Phoenix U13 stretch lead at top of the table
A vital victory for Phoenix U13 in their chase for the league title, inflicting only the second defeat of the season on Wyrley Juniors Wanderers. Both against Phoenix! Phoenix were determined to start strongly and were ahead early on when the league's top scorer Sam Ward, finished off a great pass from Samson Kinsella from the edge of the box. And it wasn't long before another through ball from Kinsella was finished off by Ward to extend Phoenix's lead.
Wyrley came back strongly and were awarded a penalty after 25 mins, only to see it brilliantly saved by Callum Hawkins. With the rebound being fired wide. Despite strong pressure from Wyrley, Phoenix's back line held firm and the boys finished 2-0 up at half-time.
Playing with the slope and with the wind at their backs, Wyrley would have expected to take the initiative at the start of the 2nd half. But instead it was Phoenix who were quickly 4-0 ahead after two sublime finishes from George Etchells on his debut. Having not conceded more than a single goal in a game since early October, the result looked certain until key defender Brody McCoy was badly injured after a reckless challenge by the Wyrley number 8. Despite having a clear view of the incident the referee failed to send-off the culprit and suddenly, Wyrley were in the ascendency and throwing bodies forward in numbers. With twenty minutes remaining Wyrley were back in the game, scoring twice in quick succession as Phoenix frantically tried to reorganise defensively.
Under pressure after the loss of McCoy, Phoenix were struggling to see out the game but a goal each from Etchells and Ward, to complete their hat-tricks, saw Phoenix establish an unassailable 6-2 lead. And although Wyrley finished strongly and snatched two late goals, Phoenix held firm to extend their lead at the top of the league to nine points. With four games to play.
In summary, although Etchells and Ward take the plaudits after both scoring hat-tricks the victory was built on a great team performance, with every player committed to the cause. Well done Phoenix.
Wyrley came back strongly and were awarded a penalty after 25 mins, only to see it brilliantly saved by Callum Hawkins. With the rebound being fired wide. Despite strong pressure from Wyrley, Phoenix's back line held firm and the boys finished 2-0 up at half-time.
Playing with the slope and with the wind at their backs, Wyrley would have expected to take the initiative at the start of the 2nd half. But instead it was Phoenix who were quickly 4-0 ahead after two sublime finishes from George Etchells on his debut. Having not conceded more than a single goal in a game since early October, the result looked certain until key defender Brody McCoy was badly injured after a reckless challenge by the Wyrley number 8. Despite having a clear view of the incident the referee failed to send-off the culprit and suddenly, Wyrley were in the ascendency and throwing bodies forward in numbers. With twenty minutes remaining Wyrley were back in the game, scoring twice in quick succession as Phoenix frantically tried to reorganise defensively.
Under pressure after the loss of McCoy, Phoenix were struggling to see out the game but a goal each from Etchells and Ward, to complete their hat-tricks, saw Phoenix establish an unassailable 6-2 lead. And although Wyrley finished strongly and snatched two late goals, Phoenix held firm to extend their lead at the top of the league to nine points. With four games to play.
In summary, although Etchells and Ward take the plaudits after both scoring hat-tricks the victory was built on a great team performance, with every player committed to the cause. Well done Phoenix.
Further reading