Rusthall 1-5 Phoenix
Phoenix make it six wins from six to progress in the Kent Senior Trophy
Phoenix Sports made it six successive wins with an impressive 5–1 victory at Rusthall to secure their place in the second round of the Kent Senior Trophy.
Stunning first-half strikes from Lyle Della-Verde and Jamarie Brissett set Phoenix on their way, before an own goal restored their two-goal advantage following a Rusthall reply. Brissett added his second after the break to reach double figures for the season, with impressive 16-year-old substitute Sebastian Levenson completing the scoring with his second in as many games.
Phoenix needed just three minutes to take the lead and Della-Verde did so in spectacular fashion. The midfielder sent a superb free-kick over the wall and into the top corner to give the visitors the perfect start just as he did against Rusthall’s rivals Tunbridge Wells two weeks ago.
There was almost another opening five minutes later when excellent work from Steve Townsend released Brissett. The forward cut inside but saw his effort blocked.
Phoenix suffered their first setback of the afternoon when they were forced into an early change midway through the half, with Della-Verde picking up a knock and being replaced by Ramez Hefzalla after 24 minutes
The visitors doubled their lead in the 38th minute through another moment of outstanding quality. Brissett flicked the ball around his marker before arrowing an outrageous strike with the outside of his foot into the corner from 25 yards. It was his ninth goal of the season and another memorable addition to Phoenix’s growing collection of spectacular goals this month.
Hefzalla then had an opportunity to make it three when Rusthall goalkeeper Claudio Boakye gifted him possession just outside the penalty area, but he side-footed his effort wide.
Instead, the hosts pulled a goal back in the 42nd minute as Ronnie McClean scored directly from a corner that floated over Damian Niemczycki and into the net.
Phoenix’s response was immediate. Just two minutes later, Brissett beat Boakye to Townsends ball over the top, and Ben Sangare, attempting to intervene, could only head into his own net to send the visitors into the break with a 3-1 lead.
Phoenix continued to create chances after the restart. Ben Morrison won possession inside the penalty area and squared for Townsend, whose shot was saved.
Brissett had a clear opportunity to extend the advantage in the 64th minute when he broke through on goal, but Boakye denied him.
Rusthall remained a threat from set pieces, and Niemczycki produced an excellent save in the 72nd minute to tip Christian Lawal’s free-kick over the crossbar.
It proved a crucial stop as a minute later, Phoenix made it four.
Boakye was caught in possession and out of position following another defensive mix-up, allowing Brissett to punish the mistake and claim his second goal of the afternoon - his 10th of what’s proving to be another fruitful campaign for the forward.
With Phoenix firmly in control, Levenson and Dami Olusesi replaced Isaac Hadlow and Morrison for the closing stages before Lawal came close to reducing the deficit again when his powerful strike from just outside the area crashed against the underside of the crossbar.
But it was Phoenix who had the final word.
In the 84th minute, the excellent Townsend delivered a delightful cross for Levenson, who headed home brilliantly to round off an emphatic afternoon for the visitors.
It was a thoroughly deserved victory for Phoenix, who progress to the second round having extended their unbeaten run to eight matches, with seven wins and a draw in that spell.
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