Heppelstone heads home winner to secure 1st 3pts of season

Our host Dronfield have had a mix start to the season winning 1 losing 1 and drawing 1. We lost out in our 1st league game to current pace setters Dinnington Town. The pitch was hard but in good condition with a swirling wind which Dronfield Town res chose to utilise in the 1st half by winning the toss and choose to kick with the wind.

Phoenix started the game strongly, 30 seconds in the ball broke to Houghton who tried a lobbed effort which bounced just wide. Dronfield Town res were a very physical outfit and looked to use the wind and get the ball forward early. This lead too a few half chances for Dronfield but none really troubling Caley. The next main chance of the game fell again to Houghton on the 20 minute mark he controlled well in the box and got a yard on his marker but his effort from a tight angle went well over the bar. The lads were all working hard and defending well as a team this started from the front three all the way back to keeper Caley, it was frustrating to concede on the 28 minute after containing our host well thus far. The goal came through Dronfield lively midfielder he got away from two Phoenix midfielders and played a perfectly waited ball the forward latched on to the ball and slotted passed Caley from 8 yards 1-0 to the home team. We didn’t let this set back affect us and continued to play football Safi was an excellent option out on the left and his good run and cross was well blocked. Dronfield then shot themselves in the foot on the 38 minute mark the keeper and defender attempted to play out at the back Houghton did well closing down and pinched the ball back. This resulted in a chance for Coates his effort was blocked with the ball falling to Safi who made no mistake and lashed the ball home 1-1

Half time score Dronfield Town res 1-1 Phoenix

The management were happy with the performance and score line. We had worked hard playing against the wind and conditions, we urged the team to keep up the standard of play but to be more decisive in the final 3rd. We stressed that the 2nd half would be tight, and we needed to defend well and keep our discipline and we were confident the goals and result would come.

Phoenix started the second period in the same way as the first half taking the initiative this forced the hosts back towards their goal. Houghton was carrying a knock and made way for Fatty on the 50 minute mark. We should have gone in front on the 52 minute, some excellent play from Safi won us a free kick on the left. Briggs whipped in the free kick which bounced all the way through and came back off the bar. Dronfield Town res responded to this and went back in front on the 55 minute, again a poor goal to concede a free kick was played deep to the back post the Dronfield player won the 1st ball we didn’t react and his header fell to the forward 6 yards out he fired in from a tight angle with ball eventually going in off Caley 2-1.

Phoenix introduced Sykes-Tobin and dropped Coates into the back four, we went back on the front foot and looked to have drawn level when the lively Hepplestone chased down a direct ball he lobbed the on rushing keeper but the ball bounced over the bar so close. We got ourselves level in the 66 minute though Fatty was fouled about 30 yards out Sykes-Tobin lined up the free kick this was curled over the four man wall and crashed in off the post a great goal 2-2. The lads were now flying and were controlling the game in the midfield great link up play by Davis & Sykes-Tobin got Sykes away he beat his man and put a pin point cross in Hepplestone met the ball from 10 yards and sent his header in the bottom corner 2-3 Phoenix 72 minutes gone.

Phonse then replaced Heppenstone who had put in a great shift and run himself into the ground, to Dronfield credit they kept plugging away and was always a threat they went close with a free kick into the box. They were now pushing players forward and this left gaps at the back Phonse linked up well with Poole and Fatty he went through one on one with the defender who cleaned him out on the edge of the box the ref had no choice but to send off the Dronfield defender 84 minutes gone. The resulting Sykes-Tobin free kick was blocked by the wall then Dronfield had a half-hearted appeal for a penalty turned down and Phoenix had a goal disallowed in the 94th minute for offside.

Final Score Dronfield Town res 2-3 Phoenix

Today was a fantastic game in which I believe we fully deserved the win. Dronfield Town res made it hard for us and were always in the game. But we could and should have got a more decisive win in the 2nd half especially with the chance at the end.

Man of Match = went to Keiron Sykes-Tobin who scored a class free kick and set up Keegan Hepplestone for the winner. The M.O.M could have gone to any Phoenix player the lads all pushed each other and are working hard for one another and are showing good amount of effort and starting to bond as a team.
Next up is the a tough one against the in-form Staveley Miners Welfare Res