This weekend saw some good results and a couple of undeserved results. The Under 9 Boys and girls teams both put in excellent performances, The Under 11 team progressed to the Semi Finals of their cup, and the Under 18 team got their second win of the season.

Saturday 24 January 2015

Redditch United 0 v 1 Wyre Forest Phoenix

The Under 11’s girls were looking forward to this cup game and wanted to fight for their place in the next round of the Ron Handy Memorial Shield. Despite only having the bare seven, we started off well and there was definitely an improvement from recent previous performances. They battled well and saw numerous runs down the wings from Ellie Symons and Olivia Wood. Both teams were quite evenly matched and had many chances on both sides. Our goal came from a great ball into the box from Olivia Wood that found Ellie Symons on the receiving end and putting it into the back of the net. Despite Redditch having a lot of chances our defence made up of Megan Hancher and Meghan Durbin stayed strong. Final score 0-1. Goals: Ellie Symons. The whole team deserved girl of the game this week because of the effort that the girls put into the game this week.

Kewfords Eagles West 4 v 3 Wyre Forest Phoenix

The Under 13's Phoenix played out a thrilling encounter against top of the league Kewford. The game began brightly with Phoenix having to do most of the defending but looking threatening on the counter. Girl of the game Bethany Savage produced a string of top class saves before Phoenix broke away and a lovely 3 pass move saw Emily Crump side foot a shot into the bottom right hand corner. Both sides had chances before half time but Phoenix defended superbly.

Shortly into the second half, Kewford were given a dubious penalty when Zoe Willetts protected herself and the ball hit her on the arm. Kewford scored from the subsequent penalty and this knocked Phoenix who were still riling about the decision. A lack in concentration saw Kewford make it 4-1 with a quick flurry of goals. With 10 minutes to go Phoenix picked themselves up and Angel Childe outmuscled the defender and an inch perfect cross saw Izzy smith draw a goal back. Kewford were rattled and Phoenix saw they were for the taking. Jessica Jenkins then made it 4-3 with about 2 minutes to go and Phoenix pushed for the equaliser. With Phoenix running out of time, Jessica Jenkins tried a long range shot which clipped the post agonisingly. It wasn’t to be but Phoenix produced a fantastic display worthy of at least a point. Final score 4-3. Goals: Emily Crump (1), Izzy Smith (1), Jessica Jenkins (1). A hard fought game by all involved and we gave them a real scare. Plaudits must go to Goalkeeper Bethany Savage who was magnificent today in particular.

Wyre Forest Phoenix Flyers 6 v 3 Lightwood Lions

The Under 14’s got off to a good start and in the first minute the Flyers were on the attack and a great cross from Lucy McLatchy was met by Sydney Harris and went just over the cross bar. Lightwoods dug in and it was after 13 mins that Syd crossed beautifully for Ellie Jones to square in to the back of the net. The Flyers were on the attack and it was then only 3 minutes later when Erin Price was rewarded for all her recent hard work with a very well deserved goal. Lightwoods dug in again until a shot from the Flyers rebounded after 24 minutes and Charlotte Morris found the back of the net. Lightwoods attacked and pulled one back after 25 mins and further upped the pace. The Flyers were doing well until a header from a corner sneaked past the Flyers goalie after 32 mins. This lifted Lightwoods who were nearly caught when the Flyers found the back of the net, only to be judged off side.

The second half got off to a great pace and Syd beat the goalie after 9 mins. The Flyers were on fire keeping up the pace with good pressure in the Lightwoods box. This allowed Ellie to plant her second from a rebound on 17 minutes. Despite Lightwoods keeping the pressure on, they had no answer for Lucy's goal of the game after 29 minutes when she took the ball in the centre of the pitch and with her back to goal she turned and hit the ball on the half volley straight in to the back of the net . The game was all but over, until Lightwoods managed to capitalise on a slide from the Flyers defence and with the defender on the floor they found the back of the Flyers net for the first time in the second half after 32 minutes to end (6-3). Goals: Charlotte Morris (1), Ellie Jones (2), Erin Price (1), Lucy McLatchy (1), Sydney Harris (1). A great game, with some really good football and great performances from the Flyers, trying out some new formations and positional play. It all worked and there were a few in line for girl of the game but it went to Megan Morris for her strength in defence, good play on the left and her passes through to Erin etc.

FC Bilbrook 3 v 12 Wyre Forest Phoenix

The Under 18 secured only their second win of the season with an amazing round dozen goals away to Staffordshire side FC Bilbrook. With only ten players available and, at times, playing with only nine, they still managed to dominate a game on a muddy pitch in extreme cold. An own goal from a corner began the surge after just four minutes and, by half time, Phoenix were 6-1 up. They picked up on some goalkeeping errors but won this game, for the most part, with a gritty, battling performance. At 10-1, the girls took their eye off the game for a while, allowing their opponents two quick successive goals but as soon as they regained their shape and focus it was business as usual, finishing with two more of their own. Final score 3-12. Player of the Match went to Millie Heaselgrave who had a storming best game of the season. Goals: Kathryn Baylis (5), Naomi Wilkinson (3), Caitie Haines (1), Millie Heaselgrave (1), Eilidh Shakespeare (1).

Sunday 26 January 2015

Midwest Counties Female Football League

Evesham United 4 (3) v 1 (0) Wyre Forest Phoenix

Today saw WFP Ladies County away to Evesham but the score flattered our opponents as we really deserved something out of the game for all the effort we put in throughout the second half. we conceded 3 goals in the first half which with a little more caution we could have got away with but unfortunately with us trying to play offside we got punished on 2 occasions halftime score 3-0. We got under way in the second half and more or less kept all the play in the Evesham half but didn’t take the chances we created from numerous corners.Then against the run of play Evesham extended their lead. Finally our efforts paid off with a goal which was dually despatched by Kirsty Roberts. Despite Evesham playing deep in their own half in the second half the game finished 4-1 with the final whistle. Girl of the Game was given to Stef Lambert. A good performance in the 2nd half especially, with a never say die approach which produced a committed effort so well done ladies.