As I said in my my preview if it's goals you want Phoenix are the side to watch and six were shared between the two sides on a sunny afternoon at the Jones and Co. recreational ground in the Central Midlands league north fixture. An early Josh Davies free kick in a good position came to nothing. As the Colliery kept up the pressure a Lewis Francis cross found Gaz Mundy he knocked the ball back to to Tom Pick who just failed to get on the end of the chance. Davies then sent Mundy through on goal, he created space and then sent a shot that cannoned of the post with the keeper stranded. Eventually the home side were rewarded for their dominance when Shaun Mundy went on a run down the right and put in a cross that gave Pick the easiest of chances to turn the ball home. However the lead did not last long as the Colliery defence failed to clear the ball and they were punished as a twenty yard effort went in off the post. The set back failed to deflate the Colliery and soon they were back in front when a Davies corner evaded everyone and G. Mundy came in at the back post to fire the home side back in front. The hosts then doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time when awarded a rather dubious spot kick, although in fairness it's about time we had the rub of the green with these decisions after being denied quite obvious penalty kicks in previous games. Greg Archer made no mistake from the spot after the foul on Lee Edmondson.
The injustice of the referees mistake quite clearly lifted the visitors and they started the second half in a more upbeat fashion. Matthew Lease in the Harworth goal did well to claim the ball from a Phoenix header, and when a Lease clearance fell to the away side the shot went just wide of the post. The Colliery were made to pay though for failing to clear the ball and another twenty yard plus effort gave Lease no chance. And moments later the away side had levelled matters when a free kick to the back post was not dealt with and the ball went in off the post from the knock down. The home side had not reached the level of their first half performance, and now had to dig deep to avoid going behind. A flick header from G. Mundy did not get high enough and the keeper claimed comfortably. The introduction of Matty Bradley brought a new lease of life and really the Colliery should have regained the lead. First Bradley put in a great cross that found S. Mundy at the far post but he put the shot over the bar when he really should have hit the target. Then again another good run by Bradley saw him put in another good cross that found S. Mundy, this time he turned and played the ball back to his brother but the shot went wide when again we should have hit the target.
Two points dropped or a point gained!! The first half was excellent and we thoroughly deserved our lead although we got lucky with the penalty decision. Second half we were a different side and could not handle a resurgent Phoenix, although the two chances at the end should have given us the win. Let's hope young Jordan's injury is not too bad, and the same to Greg Archer who also had to leave the field in the second half. Collingham up next Saturday at the Jones and Co stadium, kick off 15.00pm.