Erith & Belvedere 2-3 Phoenix
Khayrie Harris hat-trick helps ten-man Phoenix to derby win
Khayrie Harris completed a superb hat-trick as ten-man Phoenix Sports claimed a dramatic victory at Erith & Belvedere on Wednesday night.
After a goalless first half, Harris struck twice in the opening three minutes of the second to put Phoenix in control. Damilola Olusesi was then sent off, and the hosts fought back to 2–2, but Harris settled the contest with a brilliant winner six minutes from time.
Erith made the brighter start, with Ross Obazee forcing a good save from Damian Niemczycki after six minutes. Phoenix grew into the game and Lyle Della Verde caused problems with two dangerous set pieces before Harris played Isaac Hadlow through, only for his shot to be saved.
Jamarie Brissett then set up two chances for Della Verde. The midfielder dragged the first wide from a promising position, while his second effort was blocked from ten yards. Erith came closest to breaking the deadlock before the interval, striking the post after winning possession in midfield.
Phoenix switched to a 4-3-3 at half-time, with Steve Townsend replacing Hadlow, and the impact was immediate. Harris cut in from the right and drove a low shot across goalkeeper Owen Bushell to open the scoring in the 46th minute.
Two minutes later, Harris repeated the move with an even better finish, cutting inside and rifling the ball into the top corner. Della Verde almost made it three shortly afterwards, but Bushell tipped his 25-yard effort over the bar.
The match was turned on its head in the 55th minute when Olusesi received a second yellow card following a tangle of legs. From the resulting free-kick, Freddie Fletcher headed in at the far post to halve Erith’s deficit.
Phoenix still had a chance to extend their lead when Harris squared for Billy Muckle, who dragged his shot wide.
Erith drew level shortly after in the 68th minute through Jack Sammoutis, Erith & Belvedere’s best player on the night fired into the top corner from 25 yards.
Despite playing the final stages with ten men, Phoenix found a winner.
In the 84th minute, Harris beat the Erith & Belvedere full-back and fired powerfully past Bushell to complete his hat-trick and seal all three points for Phoenix to increase their unbeaten run to four games and move them up to ninth in the table.
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