AFC Greenwich borough 3-2 Phoenix
Phoenix fall to defeat against AFC Greenwich Borough at the Emico Stadium.
Phoenix Sports’ six-match winning run in the SCEFL Premier Division came to an end with a 3–2 defeat at AFC Greenwich Borough in the first match at the Emico Stadium.
Stefan Payne scored twice in the first half either side of a Tom Jones goal, with Ricardo Thompson on target for Phoenix. Harry Gamble pulled another back after the break, but Jake Goodman’s side could not find an equaliser despite a much-improved second-half display.
Defending into the low sun, Phoenix were under pressure early on. Damian Niemczycki dived low to his left to tip away a Payne effort in the 10th minute, but the Greenwich forward opened the scoring six minutes later. Niemczycki spilled Jordan Ababio’s cross and Payne slid in to poke home the first goal at the new ground.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 25th minute when Bradley Ryan whipped in a cross and Jones got ahead of his marker to turn it past Niemczycki.
Phoenix pulled one back in the 38th minute. Lyle Della Verde swung in a corner, Goodman headed it back across goal and Thompson nodded in his second goal of the season against Greenwich Borough.
The hosts restored their two-goal lead a minute before half-time. Joshua Shonibare got past Ahkeem Belford down the right and crossed to Payne, who had time to take a touch at the back post before firing low into the net.
Goodman sent on Paul Lee and Gamble for Ramez Hefzala and Della Verde at the break, and Phoenix started the second half brightly. Steve Townsend played Jamarie Brissett clean through in the 52nd minute, but Peter Balogun got a hand to his finish to tip it wide.
Six minutes later, another Townsend pass sent Gamble through. The substitute rounded Balogun and fired high into the net to make it 3–2.
Greenwich Borough still carried a threat and Niemczycki made two good saves from Jones in the 69th minute, diving low to keep out a fierce drive before tipping a long-range effort over the bar.
Phoenix came close to levelling with eight minutes left when Ramases Meseorisa beat his man down the left and flashed the ball across the face of goal. A touch would have been enough, but no one could get there and Greenwich Borough held on to win their first match at the Emico Stadium.
Next up for Phoenix is a trip to face AMG Ballerz in the Kent Senior Trophy before a visit to Harefield United in the FA Vase on Saturday 28 November.
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