Phoenix 4-0 Larkfield & New Hythe

Phoenix thrash second-place Larkfield with stunning display

Paul Lee scored Phoenix's second

Phoenix Sports produced a dominant performance to sweep aside second-placed Larkfield & New Hythe, running out emphatic 4-0 winners at the Christopher Russell Stadium on Saturday.

The opening stages were tight and competitive, with Larkfield looking to assert themselves. Phoenix showed early intent, though, and the breakthrough arrived in spectacular fashion on 19 minutes.

Louie Downey, fresh from being voted Phoenix’s Player of the Month for November, won the ball back high up the pitch and fed Lyle Della-Verde.

From fully 25 yards out, Della-Verde produced a moment of pure quality, delicately chipping the goalkeeper to score a stunning opening goal.

Larkfield responded with some pressure, but Phoenix defended resolutely and always looked dangerous on the break. Ryan McCourt remained largely untroubled in the Phoenix goal as the hosts continued to grow into the contest.

Just before the interval, Phoenix struck again. In stoppage time, a clever short corner routine saw Della-Verde fire in a pinpoint cross for Paul Lee, who powered home a header to send Phoenix into the break with a deserved 2–0 lead.

Phoenix nearly extended their advantage early in the second half when Jamarie Brissett teed up Della-Verde, whose curling effort was well saved and pushed wide.

Chances continued to come, with Will Efambe hitting the side netting on 66 minutes and Kristian Campbell breaking clear shortly after, only for play to be halted by the referee’s whistle.

The match swung decisively in Phoenix’s favour when Larkfield were reduced to ten men on 69 minutes, Nathan Daly dismissed for a second yellow card. Matters worsened for the visitors just four minutes later when Jahmahl King saw red for a poor tackle on Campbell, leaving Larkfield with nine men.

Phoenix pressed home their numerical advantage and Larkfield goalkeeper Connor Collins kept his side in the game with a string of fine saves. He denied Efambe from the edge of the box, kept out Della-Verde from the resulting corner, and then produced a stunning stop to tip Jake Goodman’s header onto the inside of the post.

However, Phoenix’s pressure finally told late on. In the second minute of added time, Brissett’s shot was saved and substitute Tyreese Agbontaen’s follow-up was scuffed, but Efambe was on hand to finish calmly and make it 3–0.

Moments later, Efambe struck again, the excellent Brissett once more causing havoc down the left before cutting the ball back for the forward to side-foot home his second of the afternoon and seal a comprehensive victory.

The result was all the more impressive given Larkfield had conceded just 11 league goals in 19 games – and still the best defensive record in the division. This defeat marked only the second time this season they have failed to score, and the first time they had been kept out since 25 August.

A commanding display from Phoenix Sports, full of quality, intensity and ruthlessness, ensured a memorable afternoon and richly deserved three points for Jake Goodman’s side.