Phoenix 2-3 Sittingbourne

Positive signs for Phoenix despite defeat in Dartford

Phoenix Sports put in an encouraging display against Step Four opposition Sittingbourne FC in Saturday’s pre-season friendly, despite a narrow 3–2 defeat at Dartford FC.

Darren Anslow played a mixture of first-team regulars and trialists as Phoenix stepped up their preparations for the start of the 2025/26 season on Saturday 26 July.

The hosts started brightly and were rewarded early on when Jerson Dos Santos opened the scoring in the eighth minute, turning his marker and firing a well-placed effort past Mitchell Beeney from the outside of the box.

Dos Santos doubled his tally before the half-hour mark, breaking through the visitors' defence and calmly rounding Beeney to slot home for 2–0.

Sittingbourne pulled one back just before the interval following a defensive lapse from Phoenix. After Sam Freeman had made a strong save, the rebound fell kindly for the visitors to convert from close range.

The second half saw a raft of changes from both sides, with Phoenix ending the game with eight trialists on the pitch.

Late on, Sittingbourne drew level with a close-range header before a misjudged cross looped fortuitously into the top corner to give the visitors the win.

Despite the final scoreline, there were plenty of positives for Phoenix to take away. A lively attacking display, solid contributions from a number of trialists, and long periods of control against higher-tier opposition all promising signs ahead of the new campaign.