Larkfield 1-2 Phoenix Sports

Jamarie Brissett double helps Phoenix to a crucial victory at Larkfield

Chris Wood ©

Phoenix Sports left it late but claimed a dramatic and deserved three points with a stoppage-time winner away at Larkfield & New Hythe on Saturday.

Phoenix were without captain Ahkeem Belford through suspension, but Emmanuel Oke came into replace him after signing on Friday on a dual registration from Margate.

The hosts created the first opening of the game inside ten minutes when an inswinging corner found a Larkfield head in the box, but the effort whistled just over the crossbar.

Phoenix grew into the contest and came close to carving out a clear opportunity midway through the half. Jamarie Brissett broke in behind the defence and squared the ball across goal, but a recovering defender was able to clear before a Phoenix shirt could apply the finish.

Chances remained limited for both sides as the half progressed. Phoenix briefly appealed for a handball when the Larkfield goalkeeper Connor Collins appeared to handle the ball outside the area, but the referee waved away the protests.

The breakthrough finally arrived seven minutes before the interval and it was Phoenix who took the lead. Harry Barnes won possession high up the pitch and quickly slipped the ball through to Brissett, who kept his composure to roll the ball past the goalkeeper with his left-foot and give Phoenix a 1–0 advantage at the break.

Phoenix nearly doubled their lead early in the second half. Paul Lee was played through on goal and the bounce sat up perfectly, but his strike crashed against the outside of the post with the goalkeeper beaten.

Moments later came a huge talking point as Brissett raced clear on goal and appeared to most inside the ground to be bundled over inside the penalty area, but despite strong appeals from the Phoenix players, the referee allowed play to continue with the Phoenix man needing treatment.

Phoenix turned to the bench with just under 20 minutes remaining, introducing Lyle Della Verde and a debut for winger Theo Lukyamuzi in place of Barnes and Louie Downey.

Della Verde quickly made an impact, forcing a strong save from the edge of the area as Collins tipped his effort up and over the crossbar.

Just when it looked as though Phoenix would see the game out, Larkfield were awarded a late penalty in the 89th minute after the referee ruled that Kieron McCann had committed a foul inside the area. Despite furious protests from the visitors, Tyler Ibe stepped up and converted from the spot to level the scores.

But Phoenix refused to settle for a point and responded immediately in stoppage time with a superb winning goal. Taylor Fisher surged down the left flank and delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Brissett arrived to powerfully side-foot home his second goal of the afternoon.

Phoenix expertly managed the remaining moments, keeping the ball deep in the corner through the efforts of Della Verde, Fisher and Brissett to see out a dramatic victory and secure a huge three points on the road.