Steve O’Boyle rang the changes to his Phoenix Sports team but their poor run continued as they crashed out of the Velocity Trophy against Great Wakering Rovers.

Joshua Kendall drew a double save out of Great Wakering goalkeeper Tim Brown in the opening exchanges but it proved to be a false dawn. The visitors twice wasted good opportunities from free kicks in dangerous positions before they were awarded a penalty for a needless push. Charlie Morris stepped up and rolled it home.

Nathan Fuma struck a shot sweetly but straight at Phoenix goalkeeper Charlie Martin before Brown made a low save from Samuel Ogunseye at the other end.

Another Rovers free kick from a good position was wasted when Ben Brookes fired well over then Martin made an excellent save with his feet to save from Morris.

In the thirtieth minute, the visitors went two up. Nathan Fuma cut in from the right and twisted and turned before slotting home.

Five minutes before half time, Phoenix pulled one back when Alfie Evans got in behind and scored with a crisp low shot. 

After the break, Great Wakering were awarded another free kick and came much closer when Billy Johnson’s effort clipped the post then Ben Fitchett came close to equalising when firing over after a free kick was knocked into his path.

Fuma fired just wide of the near post then Morris had a shot brilliantly pushed away by Martin. Rovers’ substitute Perry Dunn had a header deflected onto the post and out for a corner before Callum Keeble arrived late for Phoenix but side-footed wide first time.

Jack Glenister hooked over after a corner was not cleared but Great Wakering ensured victory with two minutes remaining. Jermaine Anderson surged forward from the half way line and fell over the leg of Samson Doherty in the area. A penalty was awarded and Jake Gordon slotted home.

Brown saved Dunn from scoring an own goal when pushing his header onto the bar and over then Martin Tuohy thought that he had scored at the other end but his effort was cleared off the line.

Phoenix Sports: Martin, Clarke, Clark, Morris (Whitelock 46), Dorling, Fitchett, Oshinowo (Osideko 46), Dohertry, Ogunseye (Bird 59), Evans, Kendall (Keeble 75).

Sub not used: Ebdon.

Goalscorers: Evans (40)

Yellow cards: Clarke, Doherty

Great Wakering Rovers: Brown, J. Anderson, Brookes, T. Anderson (Dunn 70), Hay, Johnson (Glenister 51), Fuma, Jaggs (Tuohy 78), Morris (McKenzie-La-Rose (78), Jeremiah, Harris (Gordon 70). 

Goalscorers: Morris pen (14), Fuma (30)

Yellow cards: None

Referee: Gerry Heron

Assistants: Joshua Gilham and Wally James

Attendance: 56