Corinthian 1-5 Phoenix
Phoenix make it seven wins in a row and climb to third
Phoenix Sports moved up to third in the Southern Counties East League table with an emphatic 5-1 victory at Corinthian, scoring three times inside the opening 20 minutes on a wild, wet and windy afternoon at Gay Dawn Farm.
Lyle Della-Verde, Ahkeem Belford and Khayrie Harris put Phoenix firmly in charge before the break. Although the hosts pulled one back in the second half, Isaac Hadlow and Jamarie Brissett completed another impressive afternoon, securing Phoenix’s third 5-1 win in four matches.
Belford made an important early contribution at the back, producing a superb tackle to halt a Corinthian attack after five minutes. Three minutes later, Phoenix were ahead. Steve Townsend broke down the left and picked out Della-Verde, who finished beautifully without breaking stride.
Della-Verde turned provider in the 12th minute, delivering a dangerous cross for Belford to meet with a brilliant diving header and double the advantage.
The third arrived just seven minutes later. Belford’s incisive pass found Della-Verde, who played in Harris to finish clinically and cap a superb opening period.
Corinthian threatened a response, with Ryan McCourt pushing away an awkward, bouncing effort from distance. At the other end, the home goalkeeper, Toby Waller, denied Brissett before also saving from Harry Barnes.
The hosts enjoyed a better spell towards half-time, but Phoenix defended their lead well. Barnes made a crucial recovery tackle as the visitors went into the break three goals ahead.
Louie Downey replaced Della-Verde for the second half, and Corinthian reduced the deficit in the 58th minute when Oluwaseyi Adegbehingbe headed home a floated cross.
Phoenix’s response was immediate. Just three minutes later, good work from Harris created the opportunity for Hadlow to drive an excellent angled strike in off the post, restoring the three-goal cushion and rewarding an outstanding performance down the right.
Corinthian didn’t throw the towel in and forced McCourt into a stunning save in the 70th minute, flying to his right to palm away to keep the score at 4–1.
Phoenix continued to create chances. Brissett was thwarted by the goalkeeper after breaking through, before Hadlow fired across the face of goal.
The fifth eventually came in the 78th minute. Billy Muckle did well to drive through midfield and set up Brissett, who finished confidently for his 11th goal of the season.
There was still time for another superb McCourt save, the Phoenix goalkeeper flying to his right to tip a Jamie Billings strike over the bar.
It rounded off a commanding team performance as Phoenix continued their excellent form and climbed to third in the table.
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