First team suffer first league defeat of the season

Set pieces set the tone of game

First team suffer first league defeat of the season

Straight from kick off, league newcomers Phoenix demonstrated their pace and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the opening 20 minutes. As Lillian Tucker saw a well struck effort tipped on to the bar, and Chloe Kenney’s one on one effort trickled past the post, it appeared that the momentum had shifted in favour of Bexhill, however it was Phoenix who broke the deadlock with 35 minutes gone. A well taken free kick was met with a powerful header from the Phoenix number 7 which Keila Tucker did well to push around the post. Number 7 made no mistake from the resultant corner, placing a bullet header firmly in from the near post. Undeterred, Bexhill hit back 5 minutes later when Tara Reid latched on to a through ball and lobbed the onrushing home goalkeeper.

After the break, Bexhill started the brighter but could not make their possession in the attacking third count. Just before the hour mark, a slick counter-attack movement from Phoenix required Dominque Beckett to make a last ditch tackle at the cost of a corner. As in the first half a strong finish from the set piece followed, this time from the back post, placing the home side back in the lead. In the closing stages of the game, Phoenix secured a penalty after an attempted clearance from Keila unfortunately collided with the on rushing striker who in turn was then impeded by Anne-Marie Pier. In similar fashion to 7 days prior, Phoenix added a fourth with the last kick of the fixture, a well-placed solo effort after a good switch of play.

Thanks to D&D Brickwork and Construction for sponsoring the match day kit for the 2018/19 season.