AFC Greenwich Borough 1-0 Phoenix
A much changed Phoenix side fall to Greenwich Borough defeat.
Phoenix exited the SCEFL Challenge Cup on Tuesday night after a narrow defeat at AFC Greenwich Borough brought their eight-match winning run to an end.
Olu Obilana’s second-half strike proved decisive in a closely contested tie. A much-changed Phoenix side showed plenty of promise, with Ola Noiki striking the crossbar before the break and home goalkeeper Balogun producing an excellent late save to deny substitute Khayrie Harris.
Jake Goodman made eight changes to his starting line-up, handing full debuts to Harry Gamble and Noiki. Rameses Meseorisa and Ramez Hefzala made their first starts, while Paul Lee, Damilola Olusesi and Goodman himself also returned to the starting XI.
Phoenix settled well and threatened in the 23rd minute when Meseorisa’s effort was deflected across goal and wide.
There was an injury setback on the half-hour as Olusesi picked up a knock and was replaced by Ben Morrison, but Phoenix continued to look dangerous.
Noiki threatened in the 34th minute, breaking through down the right and seeing his shot saved before the rebound was forced wide.
At the other end, Ryan McCourt was called into action to parry a powerful effort from Stefan Payne.
Noiki continued to trouble the home defence and came closest to breaking the deadlock five minutes before the interval. Bursting past Payne, he unleashed a fierce strike that crashed against the top of the crossbar.
The sides went into half-time goalless, but Greenwich Borough took the lead ten minutes after the restart. Obilana broke clear through the middle and fired past McCourt, taking the home side’s only clear-cut chance of the evening.
Phoenix pushed for an equaliser and passed up a big opportunity in the 70th minute. The ball fell to Hefzala inside the box, but his shot was saved and Meseorisa could only send the rebound into the side netting with the goal open.
Harris was introduced from the bench as Phoenix searched for a way back and almost made an immediate impact. His low effort looked set to bring the visitors level, only for Balogun to get down superbly and tip the ball wide in the 78th minute.
Phoenix were unable to find a breakthrough, leaving a well-drilled Greenwich Borough side to secure their place in the next round.
Attention now returns to the SCEFL Premier Division, with Kennington visiting the Christopher Russell Stadium on Saturday.
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