Phoenix 0-0 Faversham Strikeforce

Stalemate in DA7 on Saturday as Phoenix can't find finishing touch.

Ben Morrison in action for Phoenix

Phoenix Sports and Faversham Strike Force played out a fiercely contested 0-0 draw on Saturday with Phoenix rueing missing the game’s best chances.

The game sparked into life almost immediately as debutant goalkeeper Ryan McCourt was forced into a brilliant save, tipping over a shot destined for the top corner, inside the opening minute after a long ball forward wasn’t cleared by the Phoenix backline.

That would probably be Faversham’s best moment as Phoenix responded well. On 25 minutes, Louie Downey’s clever turn and through ball almost freed Jamarie Brissett, only for the visiting keeper Harry Earls to smother the danger.

Faversham threatened shortly after the half-hour mark when a ball flashed dangerously across the Phoenix goal, but it was Phoenix who came closest before the break. First, Tyrese Agbontaen powered through a challenge and forced a strong save from Earles, and then right on the stroke of half-time Jamarie Brissett broke through one-on-one only to drag his effort wide of the post.

Phoenix came out brightly in the second half and felt they should have had a penalty just two minutes after the restart when Will Efambe’s cross struck an arm in the box, but loud protests were waved away by the referee.

As the half progressed, Faversham grew stronger. McCourt was needed again on 64 minutes, producing an excellent double save as Phoenix weathered a spell of pressure.

A double substitution on 67 minutes helped the home side regain some momentum. They nearly capitalised when Jake Goodman headed just over from a Harry Barnes corner, before a long throw from Whitlock Davis was flicked goalwards by Agbontaen, drawing another solid stop from Earles.

The final moments brought the biggest chance of the match. Deep into stoppage time, the ball fell to Harry Barnes six yards out from goal, but he couldn’t make a clean connection - slicing across goal and to safety.

Despite both sides coming close, neither could find the decisive breakthrough in a match that felt like it needed only one moment to settle it. Phoenix will feel they created the clearer opportunities, but in the end a draw was probably a fair reflection of a tight, competitive contest.