Phoenix's up and down season goes on as they move up to third

East League division 3SE

There was a welcome return to winning ways as Phoenix Hockey Club's men's first team continued their slightly seesaw season by moving from fifth to third in the table with a win against a buoyant Brentwood.

Missing influential striker Kev Cox due to injury and Carl Wright in goal was unfortunate, however, the return of Ross Henderson was a boost – as the scoring would prove – and Harry Fitzjohn stepped up in goal for his second game for the firsts. There was a decent tempo in the match from the off.

Brentwood were full of youth and running, whereas Phoenix passing was well paced and the ball transferred well enough at the back to open the game when needed, especially the wide channels up front.

It was the visitors who took the lead, but two attacks down the right brought goals in quick succession for Phoenix as Simon King swept the ball in before Andy Luxton pulled the ball back for Henderson to fire in.

Phoenix were tight and disciplined and soon were back in the goals early in the second half when another quick attack down the right was slotted in at the near post.

The hosts should really have added to their tally, but instead it was Brentwood who capitalised on some lax defending to get a second as the game ended at 3-2.