Phoenix record league double over Glapwell

Despite controlling much of the game, Glapwell fell to their second successive defeat, going down to a 3-2 defeat at third-placed Phoenix FC.

After trailing for much of the game, Glapwell pulled themselves level at 1-1 on 86 minutes but a frantic last few minutes saw another three goals scored, the two of which the home side got being enough for them to secure the points and a league double over Glapwell.
But Glapwell's performance wasn't at all bad and on the balance of play they certainly didn't deserve to lose but they weren't clinical enough at both ends of the pitch and probably a little bit of luck went against them on the day.
Glapwell were stronger than in the midweek thrashing at Askern with seven of the players that missed that game returning to the squad but they were without the injured Daniel Russell however leading scorer Josh Parfitt returned to the side.
But much like the other night, Glapwell made an extremely sloppy start and they found themselves a goal down after only three minutes with Chris Turner-West's deep cross from the right being headed home by Hayden Marklew who had too much time and space inside the penalty area.
Glapwell had now conceded as many goals in the last 93 minutes of football as they had in their previous ten league matches but they came back into the game well enough following that early setback.
They had to make an early change, though, as they lost Ross Murcott to injury, he was replaced by Jonathan Heston, playing for the first time since the goalless draw at Thorne in January having come back from injury himself.
Glapwell were nearly level though just after the half hour mark when a great run by Mitchell Mullins from inside his own half saw him beat four defenders right to the by-line but there was very little support for him and his goalbound effort was blocked just in front of goal.
The ball then fell to Adam Barratt just outside the area but his low effort was parried by Phoenix's stand-in keeper and there was nobody gambling on a rebound and the danger was cleared.
Three minutes before the break, though, Glapwell went extremely close to getting back on level terms, firstly Josh Scully's effort was parried on to the bar by Steve McDonnell in the home goal before Josh Parfitt could only repeat that from a couple of yards out as Glapwell trailed at the break.
Glapwell controlled much of the play in the second period but just couldn't turn that into goals, they had their chances, though, firstly Josh Parfitt was brilliantly played in by Josh Scully but his first touch took him a little wide then his shot was turned away at the near post by McDonnell.
From the resulting Scully corner, Josh Clayton rose highest but his header was tipped over the bar by McDonnell again.
The midway point of the second half saw another chance with substitute Josh Thomas cutting back inside from the left and his low effort was again parried by McDonnell but again there was nobody gambling on a potential rebound and the danger was cleared.
It seemed like only a matter of time until the equalising goal did arrive but Glapwell were still kept waiting after Scully played in Parfitt who somehow managed to fire his shot straight at McDonnell in the home goal.
As the minutes ticked down, Glapwell started to get more and more frustrated at not being able to get back on level terms but they did keep it tight at the other end and didn't offer many chances at all to the home side.
Then, finally with four minutes remaining that equalising goal did arrive as Josh Scully's quickly taken free-kick from 25 yards was headed in at the far post by Josh Parfitt for his 41st goal of the season.
Another milestone of the goal is that Parfitt kept up his record by scoring in his tenth successive appearance.
However, things soon turned sour for Glapwell as the home side went straight up field and retook the lead, a corner from the right headed in by Hayden Marklew at the near post.
If Glapwell were shellshocked by that, then they certainly were as the home side extended their lead in the final minute of play, some more slack defending allowing substitute Suhail Hussain to sweep the ball home.
To Glapwell's credit, they did fight back and pulled one back in the second minute of stoppage time when the ball fell to Lee Naughton who turned and hit a decent effort low into the far corner but there wasn't enough time to try and force another equaliser.
So, a frustrating afternoon for Glapwell who, on the balance of play, deserved at least something out of that but they weren't as clinical as they have been in recent week as they fell to their second straight league defeat.
Hopefully, the season doesn't peter out now and Glapwell can finish the season in style and on a high note with their final game of the season taking place on Tuesday night at home to Askern FC.
Goals: Marklew (Phoenix) 3; Parfitt (Glapwell) 86; Marklew (Phoenix) 88; Hussain (Phoenix) 90; Naughton (Glapwell) 90
Phoenix: Steve McDonnell, Chris Turner-West, Sam Hadfield (Suhail Hussain 75), Daniel Payne, Andy Jones, Andy Woodall, Tom Atkin, James Cregan (Matt Moorwood 75), Hayden Marklew, Rob Gorman (Shaun Robsco 69), Tom Colclough. Subs not used: James Lawton, Chris Esberger
Glapwell: Ryan Hopkins, Mitchell Mullins, Jack Hutchinson, Ryan Cancellara, Ross Murcott (Jonathan Heston 22), Lee Naughton, Jordan Jones, Adam Barratt (Jake Levers 83), Josh Parfitt, Josh Scully, Josh Clayton (Josh Thomas 63)
Glapwell Man of the Match: Mitchell Mullins
Yellow Cards: Hadfield (Phoenix) 19
Referee: Rob Rees (Chesterfield)