Match 23. Phoenix Sports v Waltham Abbey

Saturday 16^th January 2016 @3pm

Isthmian League Division 1 North

PHOENIX SPORTS 1-2 WALTHAM ABBEY

Mayplace Road East, Barnehurst DA7 6JT

Admission: £8

Programme: included with admission (24pp)

Attendance: 75

Refreshments: Bovril, £1. Cheeseburger, £2.50. Cheese roll, £1.50. Mars 70p.

With my Plan A at Bowers being called off alongside many others by 11.30, I decided to stay local and revisit Phoenix Sports for the first time since they graced the Kent County League a few years ago. Now playing at Step 4, the ground has seen development, with 2 off the shelf stands on the elevated banking on one touchline and turnstiles in place next to the changing rooms, clubhouse and all other facilities at the ground behind the nearside goal. There is also permission for visitors to use the school car park opposite the ground entrance, as the club car park is for players and officials only.

The pitch was in good condition, a change from my non-league visits so far this month. With the visitors manager Martin Hayes leaving the club there was a management duo in charge for the first time. A new formation of 3-5-2 was in place as opposed to the usual 4-4-2 of the home side.  The visitors looked solid at the back and half chances were even until Phoenix went ahead a quarter of the way through the match.  Adrian Stone, once of Carshalton among others, with less hair now but still used his experience to shoot through the keepers legs into the net.  But it was the away no9, Christian Assombalonga who caught my eye.  He looked dangerous whenever in an advanced position and is incredibly strong.  His first shot hit the net but was judged to have offended against the home centre back, but his next effort was deserved as the home keeper and defender hesitated to clear the ball and nipped in between them and rounded the keeper leaving a simple touch into the net.  Phoenix then made victory more difficult for themselves as centre back Whibley smashed into the visiting attacker and earned a straight red card just before the interval.

In the second half with the home side one man short, they still were making silly mistakes and the regulars there said it was the worst performance they had seen all season. That no9 had a couple of chances go just wide before he scored the winner on the hour when a through ball split the defence and he coolly round the keeper and slotted the ball into the net. The temperature dropped as the sun went down and I watched the last 20 minutes from the comfort of the clubhouse, with good views of the action.  The home side struggled on and Assombalonga missed his hat-trick chance when he shot over from six yards out.  A first win for several months for the bottom side and hope for a great escape.