Faversham SF 3-2 Phoenix

Phoenix fall to disappointing defeat to all but end play-off hopes

Chris Wood ©

Phoenix Sports saw their play-off ambitions fade away on Saturday afternoon as they slipped to a disappointing 3–2 defeat away at Faversham Strike Force.

The hosts struck first after 20 minutes when Hayden Wood was left unmarked from a corner to guide a free header home past Ryan McCourt.

Phoenix struggled to find rhythm throughout the first-half and matters worsened just four minutes after the restart when Essa Jadama unleashed a great strike from the edge of the box which appeared to take a slight deflection on its way past McCourt.

Josh Oliver added a third on 66 minutes, breaking clear down the right before finishing smartly to leave Phoenix with a mountain to climb.

Despite being well below their best, Phoenix rallied late. Jamarie Brissett beat three players bursting down the left and squared for Theo Lukyamuzi to calmly slot home his first goal for the club on 82 minutes.

Fellow substitute Lyle Della Verde then produced a moment of real quality, showing quick feet on the edge of the box before lashing a left‑footed strike into the bottom corner, leaving the goalkeeper rooted.

Phoenix pushed hard in the closing stages, with Jake Goodman forcing a strong save in the final moments, but the hosts held firm to claim the points their performance deserved.

The result leaves Phoenix with a near-impossible task to make the play-offs this season with a second season in the SCEFL likely to be confirmed on Tuesday night with a number of their promotion rivals in action.