Phoenix Sports’ Andy Constable unleashed a spectacular 40yd volley in second half injury time to give the home side a 4-3 victory in a 7-goal thriller on Tuesday night in a game that showcased Southern Counties East Football League football.

Going into the game Ashford had remarkably lost only their first away game of the season at BeckenhamTown three days earlier whilst Phoenix lost at home to league leaders Whyteleafe. This game brought together two promotion challenging sides in third and fourth places respectively.

The game was played throughout at a frantic pace like a good old fashioned cup tie. Ashford came out the blocks fastest and rewarded early on with a goal in the 4^th minute. A Ben Jordan free kick towards the edge of the box caused Phoenix problems with a poor defensive header leaving Sam Fisher in front of goal 8yds out. Beating the advancing ‘keeper Nash to the ball, Fisher’s goal-bound header could only be helped into the back of the net by Chris Hill.

The visitors dominated the opening 20 minutes with Dave Cook through on goal on 13 minutes seeing his low shot parried by ‘keeper Nash and then cleared by the defence.

On 17 minutes Ashford’s Gary Clarke put Michael Smissen through but he hurriedly blazed over from 20yds when he had the opportunity to perhaps bear down on goal, then moments later Smissen again broke away down the left only to find the side netting.

Surviving the early onslaught only one goal down, Phoenix began to see more of the ball involving their wide players Alex Nelson and the impressive and rapid Enoch Adjei.

After 20 minutes Adjei started to influence proceedings using his pace to great effect. On 22 minutes his electrifying pace down the right resulted in a scuffed shot from 20yds out. The ball fell to Andy Constable 6yds out who redirected the ball towards goal only to find the offside flag denying him and Phoenix the equaliser.

However, Phoenix did not have to wait much longer for Adjei’s pace and trickery to force an equaliser. On 25 minutes Adjei’s mazy run past three Ashford players resulted in Nelson, Miles Cornwell and Sam Flischer combining well on of the edge of the box with Nelson curling the ball low into ‘keeper Joe Mant’s bottom left hand corner

Growing in confidence, on 35 minutes Phoenix’s Andy Constable found space down the left only to find his shot tipped over by Mant.

On 41 minutes Ashford’s Ronnie Dolan blazed over after being put through on goal after a quick free kick by Gary Clarke caught out Phoenix’s back line.

Just before half-time Phoenix took the lead. Good work from Adjei resulted in a free kick halfway in Ashford’s half. An out-swinging and inviting free kick was met sweetly on the head by Phoenix’s Andy Constable, giving the ‘keeper no chance.

Ashford equalised immediately into the 2^nd half. Earning a free kick on the left side, Adam Cuthbert floated it towards goal however, Phoenix’s ‘keeper Nash misjudged the flight, only getting his fingertips to the ball as it sailed over his head and into the unguarded net.

With neither side showing signs of fatigue, the fast-paced game ebbed and flowed with shots from distance from both sides failing to test either goalkeeper.

On 64 minutes Phoenix’s Constable went down in the box challenging for the ball under pressure from two Ashford defenders but his claims for a penalty were waved away by referee Ricky Adams.

With 10 minutes to go the deadlock was once again broken. An inswinging free kick found Nelson unmarked inside the 6yd box with the simplest of tap in’s for the Phoenix No’ 11. However the lead lasted for less than a minute when Ashford’s Dave Cook headed in Clarke’s in-swinging free kick.

With both sides pushing for a winner on 86 Phoenix had another goal disallowed, Andy Constable having a glancing header ruled out for offside, whilst Ashford broke away on a couple of occasions, the latter seeing Dave Cook through on goal on the left but blazing over the bar.

Andy Constable then took centre stage to win it for the home side. Receiving a throw in with his back to goal 40yds out, he spun and connected with the ball sweetly on the volley, catching out visiting ‘keeper Mant who could only watch the ball sail over his head as he backpedalled in vain.

Tonight’s result puts Phoenix Sports equal third with visitors Ashford United on 42pts behind Tunbridge Wells and leaders Whyteleafe. Visitors, Ashford, have games in hand on all those around them (played 17), whilst Phoenix have now played more games than all other sides in the division (24).

 

Phoenix Sports: Nash, Griffin, Dixon-Baker, Crush (Hammill HT), Rogers (French 55), Hill, Adjei, Flischer (Richards HT), Cornwell, Constable, Nelson

Sub not used: Brown

Goals; 25 (Nelson), 43 (Constable), 80 (Nelson), 90 (Constable)

Ashford United: Mant, L. Cuthbert, Whiting, Clarke, Jordan, Kingwell, Cook, A. Cuthbert, Smisson (Mickleborough 73), Fisher (D. Scorer 80), Dolan (Conlon 84)

Subs not used: T. Scorer, Finch

Goals; 4 (Fisher), 46 (A. Cuthbert), 81 (Cook)

Referee: Mr Ricky Adams

Assistants: Mr Matthew Sell & Mr Jair Guzman

Attendance: 80