Sporting Club Thamesmead 0-1 Phoenix

Phoenix kick-off pre-season with a win at Bayliss Avenue

Chris Wood ©

Phoenix made a winning start to their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 victory over Sporting Club Thamesmead at Bayliss Avenue, as Taylor Fisher's first-half strike proved the difference.

Fielding two completely different XIs across the 90 minutes, Phoenix dominated the opening half with an experienced side before handing opportunities to trialists, U19s and U18s after the break.

Phoenix nearly made the perfect start when Fisher flicked an effort against the post after just 75 seconds. The visitors continued to control possession and create chances, with Jamarie Brissett and Lee Bird both going close before Fisher finally broke the deadlock, drilling a low left-footed effort into the bottom corner from outside the area.

The first half was overshadowed by a worrying injury to new signing Joe Chalker, who was taken to hospital after suffering an ankle injury following a late challenge. Everyone at Phoenix wishes Joe a speedy recovery.

The second half was a more evenly contested affair as the youthful Phoenix side gained valuable minutes. They almost produced a spectacular second goal when Kadmiel Animpong spotted the goalkeeper off his line and unleashed an audacious effort from inside his own half, only to see it crash against the underside of the crossbar.

At the other end, goalkeeper Joe Docherty was called into action, producing an excellent save to keep out a close-range header as Sporting Club Thamesmead threatened from set pieces.

Despite the late pressure, Phoenix held firm to secure a clean sheet and begin pre-season with a deserved 1-0 victory.