Match Preview: Phoenix vs Petts Wood & Holmesdale
- Phoenix Sports Media
- Jul 31
- 2 min read
Phoenix kick-off their 2026/27 season on Saturday
Phoenix Sports begin their 2026/27 Southern Counties East Football League campaign on Saturday (3pm) when newly merged Petts Wood & Holmesdale visit the Christopher Russell Stadium.
After a productive pre-season, Phoenix will be hoping to make a positive start in front of their home supporters—but they face a team arriving with plenty of momentum.
Petts Wood & Holmesdale have enjoyed an impressive summer, recording victories over Lydd Town, Sporting Club Thamesmead, Sheppey United, Cray Valley PM and Elmstead. They have also recruited well ahead of their first competitive match since the merger, with Charlie Clover, Connor Evans and Michael Fenn among several solid additions to their squad.
Phoenix could hand competitive debuts to a number of summer signings. Isaac Hadlow, Will Samways, Louie Procopi, Steve Townsend and Tom Borders are all in contention to feature, while Lee Bird and Zak Bryon could make their first appearances since returning to the club.
Bird and Bryon will be familiar faces to Phoenix supporters, while the club’s new arrivals will be hoping to make an immediate impact as Jake Goodman’s side look to begin the campaign strongly.
Phoenix report a largely clean bill of health ahead of the fixture. The only players unavailable are long-term absentees Joe Chalker, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury, and Harry Smart, who continues his recovery from a knee injury.
With both clubs entering the new season with optimism and several new faces potentially involved, Saturday promises to be an intriguing opening-day encounter at the Christopher Russell Stadium.
The Christopher Russell Stadium is easily accessible on public transport:
By train: Barnehurst Station is just a 10-minute walk from the ground—this line runs regularly through Travelcard Zone 5
By bus: The 492 stops directly outside the ground
From central London: A direct Southeastern train from Charing Cross to Barnehurst takes around 40 minutes
There is parking in the school opposite the ground parking in the side streets that surround the ground. With a larger than usual attendance expected we're expecting it to be busier than usual.
Tickets for the match are available online here via the Fanbase app or by cash and card on the gate.
Tickets are priced at:
Adults - £10
Over 65s - £5
U16s - FREE
Season tickets are valid for this game and you can read the online matchday below:
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