MATCH REPORT: Barking 1-0 Phoenix

Phoenix unable to make chances count in Barking

Phoenix Sports fell to a narrow 1–0 defeat on Tuesday night in their pre-season clash with Barking FC, despite creating a host of chances and dominating large spells of the match.

Darren Anslow was missing Sam Freeman and Jerson Dos Santos from the squad that faced Sittingbourne on Saturday with a number of trialists featuring for Phoenix.

The game began at a lively pace, with Barking having the ball in the net inside five minutes following a long throw-in that wasn’t dealt with, only for the referee to rule it out, with the assistant referee flagging for offside.

Phoenix responded brightly and came close on 10 minutes when a trialist saw his flicked effort acrobatically tipped over the bar.

Barking took the lead just three minutes later when a long ball over the top wasn’t dealt with by the Phoenix backline, allowing the hosts to capitalise with a chipped finish against the run of play.

Tyler Anderson almost restored parity in the 20th minute, breaking into the box only to see his placed effort well saved from close range. The visitors continued to press, and a trialist soon won the ball in a dangerous area but dragged his shot wide of the far post when he may have been better off crossing.

Phoenix remained on the front foot and came agonisingly close just after the half-hour mark. A trialist turned smartly and unleashed a powerful shot that the Barking ’keeper spilled and scrambled over the bar. From the resulting corner, Jake Goodman rose highest but couldn’t keep his header down.

The first half ended with more Phoenix pressure. Dom Morgan-Griffiths got across his marker and flicked a corner goalwards, only to be denied by a brilliant save. He went close again moments later, swivelling in the six-yard box and forcing another outstanding stop from the Barking ’keeper.

The second half saw the tempo slow slightly, but Phoenix still carved out opportunities. On the hour mark, Will Efambe came closest to equalising when he struck the post after a neat passage of build-up play. With 15 minutes remaining, a trialist tested the Barking goalkeeper again with a fierce strike, which was once more impressively saved.

Despite the defeat, Phoenix can take plenty of positives from a dominant performance that certainly deserved more. A clinical touch in front of goal was the only thing missing on a night that showed clear signs of promise heading into the new season.