2017 ended for Phoenix Sports with a point against Corinthian Casuals in a game of few clear cut chances.

Although Phoenix started on top they found themselves up against a well drilled defence and their only real goal attempt in the first fifteen minutes was a Jack Hopkins twenty five yard drive that a diving Danny Bracken claimed comfortably.

When the visitors got an attack going, Lewis Mingle went through Gabriel Odunaike in a challenge that upset the Casuals player so much that he jumped up to confront the defender so aggressively that he was lucky to remain on the pitch.

Gil Carvalho was a menace on the left wing in the early stages and good skill by him allowed Kweku Ansah the opportunity to shoot on the spin but his effort went wide with Bracken rooted to the spot.

Again Carvalho tricked his way through and was able to set himself for a shot but his effort to curl it was too straight and Bracken claimed easily.

Just short of the half hour mark, the visitors won the first corner of the match and they were awarded a second shortly after when Max Oldham hit a shot from a tight angle that Steve Phillips could only turn behind.

As the game went into first half injury time, Reyon Dillon had an opportunity on his left foot but wanted to get it onto his right and his shot was blocked.

Dillon had another opportunity shortly after the break but his powerful near post shot was turned round the post by Phillips, Then, at the other end, Carvalho had another shot saved easily.

Jeff Duah-Kessie went on a strong run but Bracken stood up and was able to block his effort out. Christie Pattisson followed up but fired straight into the legs of Jack Strange.

Conrad Lee fired just over for Phoenix and Ben Ckeklit did likewise for the Casuals but clear cut chances continued to be sparse.

Having not managed to make the most of their territorial advantage, Phoenix came close to losing it when Oldham fired in a shot that Phillips could only parry as far as Odunaike. He made no mistake in converting and raced to celebrate with the travelling supporters but his joy was cut short when he realised that he had been flagged offside.

Casuals substitute Josh Uzun had a long range effort saved before Duah-Kessie laid back to Ansah but his first time effort flew over for Phoenix.

Having soaked up the pressure it was Corinthian Casuals who finished the strongest bot they failed to test Phillips in the closing minutes. Both Cheklit and Callum McAllister had shots deflected wide before Dillon smashed Oldham’s cross over.

Had the visitors converted one of their late chances, it would have been harsh on Phoenix but they didn’t create enough from their earlier possession and a draw was probably a fair outcome.

Phoenix Sports: S. Phillips, Lee, Probets, Hopkins, Young, Mingle (Bryon 78), Carvalho (D. Phillips 56) , Robinson, Duah-Kessie, Ansah, Pattison. Subs not used: Bryon, Ogboe, Adeyemo, Kemp.

Corinthian Casuals: Bracken, Walker, Murray, Ekim, Strange, McAllister, Oldham, Cheklit, Dillon, Antonio (Uzun 72), Odunaike. Subs not used: Hibbert-Delgado, Johnson, Robinson, Uzun, Herring.

Referee: Lee Dyson

Assistants: Wally James and Bobby Kwatt

Attendance: 100

Phoenix Sports:

Goalscorers : None

Yellow cards: Robinson, Lee.

Red cards: None

Corinthian Casuals:

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

 

Phoenix Sports star player: Danny Young