League leaders Phoenix Sports maintained their unbeaten record in the league with a comfortable victory over a struggling Croydon side, who weren’t helped by being reduced to ten men after only 21 minutes.
Phoenix began the game on top pressing the visitors back for long spells, but they lacked the final touch in front of goal with Stuart Wibley and Yacine Gnahore both off target with early chances and Russell Bedford’s long throws caused Croydon plenty of problems in the blustery conditions.
Harrison Carnegie and Gnahore then forced good saves from Trams keeper Francis Ameyaw before the key moment of the half. Corydon left back Callum Attwood committed a blocking foul on Carnegie in midfield, but to everyone’s surprise was shown a red card for a supposed kick out following the collision, which no one but referee Mr Butler saw.
Gnahore headed a free kick just over soon after and Croydon created many of their own problems by giving the ball away cheaply when in possession.
The Trams first shot on target came on the half hour when Karl Douglin saw his effort saved by Steve Phillips, but it was brief respite as Carnegie shot over and Phoenix continued to press into the break.
The second half saw Phoenix press again from the off, they had a strong shout for handball turned down before they finally got the breakthrough on 52 minutes. Carnegie played a superb ball to Ricky Freeman who deftly lobbed Ameyaw from 12yards with the ball just sailing in under the bar.
Phoenix had a scrambled goal from a corner ruled out for offside almost immediately and Freeman forced a save from Ameyaw latching on to one of Bedford’s long throws.
With Sports pinning Croydon back Gnahore had a header saved from another fine Carnegie cross and eventually the pressure told on 63 minutes, with Croydon temporarily down to nine men as Michael Craverio was off receiving treatment, Gnahore cashed in on fine work from Louis Valencia to blast the ball home from ten yards out.
Carnegie was once again the supply line for Freeman whose shot from a narrow angle was tipped over by Ameyaw. Carnegie had a goal bound shot bravely blocked by Rob Curtis before the final goal came on 73 minutes when Bedford’s cross was powered home by Chris Hill from close range.
Phoenix with one eye on next week’s FA Vase game took the foot off the gas from then on, but still Freeman and Alex Nelson forced saves from Ameyaw while Gnahore hit the post with a fierce late drive.
The Trams only glimmer of a chance came when Frey just failed to touch the ball past Phillips as he advanced into the box latching on to a punt up field.
Steve O’Boyle’s side now head to Bodmin for their FA Vase tie next Saturday top of the league a point clear with two games in hand. Playing like confident, well organised, hard working side who could take this title challenge all the way.
Phoenix: Phillips, Andrews, Bedford (Richards 75), Wibley (Brown 65), Hill, Carnegie, Nelson, Freeman, Gnahore, Valencia (Adjei 68).
Subs Not Used: Keizer-Burrows, Kemp.
Croydon: Ameyaw, Curtis, Attwood, Atkins, Craverio, Allen, Martin (Boateng 62), Murray-Price, Toney, Douglin, Frey.
Subs Not Used: Harwood, Jupe, Rayner.
Ref: Mr R Butler
HT 0–0, FT 3-0.
Att: 72
Goals: Ricky Freeman 52, Yacine Gnahore 63, Chris Hill 73mins.
Red Card – Callum Atwood 21mins.
Star Man: Harrison Carnegie
Match Rating: 3/5