No January Blues as the winning run continues!

MATCH REPORT: BURGESS HILL PHOENIX BLUE VS PEVENSEY & WESTHAM | 17/01/25

FULL TIME: 4 - 0

On Friday 17th January the Blues were up against Pevensey & Westham in Division 1 of the Women’s Flexi League.

We got stuck in straight from kick-off – Naomi to Jo, Jo to Fran, Fran to Rachael, who shot. It was almost a goal in the first 30 seconds, but for a very good double save from the Pevensey goalkeeper. We got into our passing rhythm immediately with Skilton and George combining well in the middle to cut the danger out and feed balls to the attackers. Fran ran the ball in from the wing, playing the ball in to Jo who went very close. The keeper played the ball out, cut out by Chanelle who played the ball to Nyssa, Nyssa put the ball in and it bounced amongst Pevensey defenders. Naomi cut in, stole the ball and put a cross into the box, where Rachael was waiting – Rachael smashed the ball into the net! Goal – 1-0 to Phoenix!!

The defence were working hard, Monse in goal playing the ball out confidently from the back to Sheena, to Skilton who played in George. George cut in and was in on goal, nice shot saved by the keeper for a corner. Skilton swung in a beautiful corner which landed at Naomi’s feet. Naomi shot, the keeper parried, Naomi buried the second ball – 2-0 Phoenix!!

Again, we went straight back in, with Becky and Nyssa combining well to cut out the attack after the restart and playing the ball up to Skilton, who played in Jo, whose good chance was saved. Sheena cut out another promising Pevensey attack to play in Rachael, Rachael found Naomi, who played in Fran for a one-two, Naomi shot and the keeper saved again. Fran was setting up chances left, right and centre, playing in Rachael to force another save, and Jo for yet another save. We could feel it coming. Naomi received a lovely ball from George, she put one touch out to Fran who was in but it was saved again.

And then Pevensey were on the attack, this time cut out by Chanelle who ran the ball out, passing to Becky who played in Skilton, whose one-touch pass found Naomi. Another one-touch pass went to Jo, who cut the ball across the face of the goal to Rachael, who unfortunately missed. Pevensey were quick to get the ball down into our half. It was cut out by Chanelle but landed with a Pevensey player, Nyssa made a tackle but their striker managed to get through, chased down by Becky to reduce the angle. Monse was poised to make a save but the shot went wide.

Half-time.

Nicky and Chloe came on after the break. The ball was played up from the Pevensey kickoff and cut out well by Sheena, who played in Rachael. She sent a lovely ball in to Nicky whose shot was saved. Skilton floated in another signature corner, which Chloe got her head to but just missed the goal. The keeper played the ball out and the Pevensey striker was in, prompting a save from Monse. Monse got the ball out to Sheena, Sheena to George, George played the ball into Fran, whose silky skills helped her glide past a defender. She put a cross into the box, Chloe nudged it forward to Nicky and Nicky absolutely thumped it into the goal! 3-0 Phoenix!!

Steph and Mel came on and got stuck in immediately, Mel doing really well to cut out an attacking threat down the right. She played the ball up to Chloe, who played in Steph, whose shot went just wide.

Again we could feel another goal coming! Sheena was like a machine on the left, working hard to keep any threats at bay.

Skilton’s heading game in the middle was on point once again, cutting out balls with efficiency. Becky behind Skilton gathered up any stray balls and played them to George.

Then a ball was played through the middle from Steph to Fran, Fran sent it to Naomi and Naomi back to Fran – she was in, she smashed it into the net for a goal – 4-0 to Phoenix. Mel kept the energy up at the back, blocking anything that came down the right to frustrate the attackers. Unfortunately there was a red card shown to a Pevensey player due to an altercation with the officials. Credit to the Pevensey players for continuing the game and getting stuck in after a difficult pause in the game. The game continued but the impact of the situation had taken much of the momentum out of the last 10 minutes.

4-0 to the Phoenix!!