Phoenix 4-0 Romford

Phoenix finish pre-season with a flourish.

Jerson Dos Santos and Tyler Anderson celebrate Phoenix's fourth goal. Keith Gillard ©

Phoenix Sports returned to the Christopher Russell Stadium in emphatic fashion with a commanding 4–0 win over Romford FC in their final pre-season outing before the new league campaign begins.

From the first whistle, Phoenix looked sharp, assertive, full of attacking intent and it took just five minutes for the home side to strike. Tyler Anderson, who was a constant menace on the right flank throughout the match, delivered a dangerous cross into the box. Jerson Dos Santos saw his initial effort saved, but Will Efambe reacted quickest, rifling in the rebound with a superb left-footed finish to open the scoring.

Romford responded with a warning shot of their own, rattling the crossbar from distance in the 12th minute, but that would be as close as the visitors came. Phoenix were soon back in control, with Anderson continuing to torment Romford’s right side. One electric solo run saw him glide past four defenders before being cynically brought down – a challenge that would have warranted a red card in a competitive fixture.

In the middle of the park, Lyle Della-Verde ran the show, dictating the tempo with intelligent movement and quality touches as Phoenix dominated possession.

The second goal came just after the half-hour mark, and it was no surprise that Anderson was again at the heart of it. He breezed past his marker before cutting the ball back to Dos Santos, who swept home with confidence to double the lead.

Phoenix took their 2–0 advantage into the break after a thoroughly impressive first-half display.

The second half began a touch slower, and Phoenix were forced into an early change as Efambe was withdrawn with a minor ankle knock. However, it wasn’t long before they rediscovered their rhythm.

On 65 minutes, Dos Santos grabbed his second of the afternoon – once again linking up with Anderson. The winger found space and fizzed in a pass that Dos Santos met with a clinical high finish into the top corner.

The pair combined yet again just seven minutes later for Phoenix’s fourth. Anderson raced through the Romford defence with another dazzling run before squaring for Dos Santos, who completed his hat-trick with a simple tap-in – a deserved reward for a lethal display in front of goal and another assist for the outstanding Anderson.

The excellent Lyle Della-Verde almost made it five late on with a curling effort, but Phoenix settled for four in what was a complete and convincing team performance.

With pre-season now wrapped up, the Sports head into next week's league opener against Holland & Blair full of confidence. A perfect send-off to a strong summer campaign.