Phoenix

Date:	27 Oct 2007
Competition:	County Senior League Div 2
Home/ Away:	Away
Score:	2-1

Match Report

On a breezy day at Brinsworth, on a very good pitch it was Sheffield who deservedly took the 3 points from this division 2 fixture. With Bramley Sunnyside held by Thorncliffe, Millmoor Juniors dropping points for the first time this season, Caribbean Sports not playing; Sheffield's win moved them up the table to third place.

Sheffield started brightly and Eskante and Cronin were given offside in quick succession by the tightest of decisions. When Cronin beat the offside trap after 5 minutes he took a touch too many and the Phoenix defence recovered enough to clear. after a couple of good plays Sheffield got the goal they needed; Eskante held the ball up very well and laid it to Jon Linnell; his cross found Eamonn Chapman in the box, the young midfielder showed great strength to hold off a defender and turned and scored with a good strike from 6 yards. Sheffield began to knock the ball about in an assured fashion, there was some great build up play and Gary Townsend, making his first start in a Sheffield shirt for ages following a prolonged lay off put Cronin through with a great ball; again the Sheffield striker took a touch too many on this occasion and the defence recovered. At the other end Carl Lacy was a threat and he had a good shot blocked. Sheffield were playing the better football on the good surface and Eskante, Carney and Cronin were getting some good possession. Sheffield's next effort was from Carney his shot from range went just wide. Just before the half time interval Eskante was put through on goal by Cronin; he looked certain to score but the keeper did ever so well to tip the ball round for a corner.

The second half started well for Sheffield but although they were dominating possession there were no shots. Andy Taylor was then disposessed by Steve Spence and Sayles had to make a good save to preserve Sheffield's advantage. Jon Linell was in the game quite a bit and was starting some good moves for Sheffield and Danny Moore, replacing Eskante on 60 minutes was looking dangerous. Phoenix equalised against the run of play when Taylor slipped; Spence got the ball and passed it to Lacy who scored from the edge of the area. This was dissapointing for Sheffield as they had had the majority of the possession and chances thus far. However the tam did not give up and continued to play neat passing football which lead to further chances. Portaluri (having replaced Townsend) had a good shot blocked and George Barnes went close with a header from a corner. On 80 minutes Sheffield restored their lead when Jon Linell supplied Mark Oliver with a good ball; his strike from the edge of the box gave the keeper no chance. more chances came through Cronin who was unlucky to see an effort headed on to the bar and Chapman shot just wide following a corner. Sheffield were playing some good passing football and denying Phoenix any possession and in the dying minutes Danny Moore collected the ball from a good move from Carney, turned and shot just over.

Team:

Sayles, Linnell, Foster, Taylor (Jones), Barnes, Chapman, Oliver, Carney, Cronin, Eskante (Moore), Townsend (Portaluri), Kananagh.