PHOENIX 4-1 SPORTING BENGAL UNITED

Phoenix into the first-round proper of the FA Vase

Harry Smart in action for Phoenix

Phoenix secured their place in the first-round proper of the FA Vase on Saturday, with a convincing 4-1 win over Sporting Bengal United at the Christopher Russell Stadium. 

Following the departure of manager Darren Anslow on Tuesday, James Marrs, Jake Goodman and Steve Morris took charge of Phoenix Sports for their FA Vase second qualifying round clash against Sporting Bengal United – making five changes to the line-up that lost at home to Snodland Town a week before.

And the new-look side wasted no time in making their mark. With just 48 seconds on the clock, Ahkeem Belford’s long throw was flicked on by Jensen Grant, and Harry Smart bundled the ball over the line to give Phoenix the perfect start.

The lead, however, was short-lived. Sporting Bengal levelled in the 7th minute when Jerson Dos Santos was penalised for handball inside the area. Evander Lopes stepped up and rifled the penalty past Sam Freeman to make it 1-1.

After a nervy opening spell, Phoenix grew into the game. Lyle Della Verde fired narrowly wide from distance on 25 minutes before Ben Morrison saw a fierce effort saved and Smart’s follow-up blocked.

The breakthrough came just before half-time, Kristian Campbell driving down the right and cutting back for Della Verde to calmly slot home his sixth of the season to give Phoenix a 2-1 lead at the break.

The hosts started the second half as brightly as the first. Barely a minute after the restart, Campbell turned scorer, finishing off a neat move with Stanley Mills before squeezing a strike in off the inside of the post to make it 3-1.

By the 56th minute, Phoenix were in full control. Dos Santos did well to create space, and Smart pounced on the edge of the box to fire in his second of the game – and Phoenix’s fourth.

Although chances for a fifth went begging, the damage was already done. Phoenix closed the game out with composure to seal a 4-1 victory and secure their place in the FA Vase First Round Proper.

Next up for Phoenix is a return to league action and a trip to Punjab on Tuesday night (7.45pm).