The Phoenix played an entertaining and competitive match against East End reds today. The majority of the game was closely matched. Indeed, it was only a bit of misfortune at both ends and a couple of situations where we lost our defensive discipline, that ultimately proved the difference between the teams.
The game started evenly enough, however; we went behind in an unfortunate manner. Sophia worked hard to get back and cut out a cross, however, the ball deflected passed Ruby into the goal. The girls almost hit back when Gracie went on a great mazy run which ended in Eve just shooting wide. East End went two goals up when the girls switched off and let East End run behind our defensive line and finish clinically.
The 2nd quarter started with Phoenix in the ascendancy with Jess making driving runs from the back. One ending with a rocket of a left foot shot that left the goal shaking. Ruby Hardy was playing with great maturity, recognising when to fill-in for Jess as she drove forward, in order to maintain the team shape. We were getting a lot of joy down the left wing with Lola providing some tenacious runs. East End scored a third very much against the run of play with a good finish into the corner.
The 3rd quarter started with Jess taking a blow to the face, as the ball ricochet fiercely. This seemed to make Jess angry, as she went on overdrive, time and again driving at the East End defence and scoring two goals in quick succession, with long range strikes into the net. Phoenix were very much in the ascendancy, with Masie and Anya providing good structure at the back and Daisy driving the team forward from centre midfield. Our dominance at the stage, meant we lost concentration on one occasion, resulting in East End scoring a breakaway goal. There was an element of misfortune as an East End shot hit the post and rebounded in off Ruby. Ruby was having an excellent game in goal, making several good saves, but also rising to Colin’s challenge to recognise danger, adopt a high starting position when we are in attack, and so act as a sweeper when required.

The 4th quarter was chaotic as the girls tried to find a way back in the game. Gracie made three driving runs from defence which quite easily could have led to a goal, whilst we had 2 or 3 great corners crossed into the box that we could not quite bring under control. One indirect free kick for a back pass ended without a shot as goal, as the girls were uncertain what an indirect kick was (note for Alan, Colin and myself to explain this!!).
In terms of take aways from the game:
Ruby McCourt – excellent performance with some great saves. Starting to command the box. Focus on communicating with defenders to ensure we maintain shape.
Masie – really took on Colin’s comments last week on defensive positioning – well done. Challenge now is to make note of teammate positioning before receiving the ball in order to help play forward.
Anya – strong defending and great defensive discipline. Challenge now is recognising how to support when we have the ball and identifying opportunities to support our attacking play – we defend together and attack together.
Sophia – worked really hard up and down the line. Like Eve and Lola, wide players need to learn how to a) identify when the team might lose the ball and adjust positioning to narrow and b) identify when the team might be about the win the ball and identify the space where they can move into. The wide players should be our outlet when we win the ball.
Eve – provided good attacking support to Jess and Gracie when we had the ball. Challenge is working a lot harder working back to defend.
Lola – tenacious display, having the confidence to run at defenders. Focus now working on shooting technique to add end product to an encouraging display.
Ruby Hardy – intelligent performance, recognising where to be on the pitch and filling vacated spaces. Focus on getting a 360 view of the pitch before receiving the ball to bring wide players into the game.
Daisy – a girl of the match performance from the Captain. Great appreciation of positioning, and rotation, ability to pass forward and do unselfish running back to cover. Focus now on when to recognise opportunity to run behind centre forward if centre forward had come deep, adding goals.
Gracie – athletic performance, particularly when driving forward in 4th quarter. Focus, when playing centre forward roll to come deep to the half way line when we are defending to a) provide an outlet to the girls and b) create space behind her to exploit one vs one, with her ability to outrun most opponents. Also work on how to adapt positioning to receive ball side-on in order to run directly at the defenders.
Jess - provided the game's 2 outstanding moments with run and shot off the post and thigh control as the ball came of the air. East End started to get 2 and 3 players around Jess when she got the ball. In these instances still look to run at defenders, suck defenders in and then release to team mates who will now have space due to Jess attracting those defenders.
Another good workout girls. Well done.

Match report from our No1 Ruby McCourt
I think everyone did great in the match and in the position they were given we could have had a draw or even won. We are definitely improving each match.

Really talking to each other helps, as there is no point in 3 people trying to chase the same ball. We need to be loud including me as the keeper. I definitely need to shout for help and back up. I really enjoyed the game and can’t wait to start the season with the girls
Thank you