Ipswich Phoenix 3-2 Playford

Another Sunday meant another away day for the boys in purple, this week travelling to Gainsborough sports centre for a surprisingly warm October away day.

Andy wasn’t available this week so last seasons Cup run hero Ash King started in goal. Jez, Hunty, Luke and Sticks made up a back 4 looking to carry on their form from the clean sheet against Northam Celtics. Josh, Ellis and Dan made up the midfield 3, Ellis was looking to build on his cameo against Northam which saw him get an assist for Daryl. Ben was on the right, club legend and make shift camera operator Chris Jones lead the line after a cameo off the bench which changed the game and a return on the left for George Godbold, a rare appearance from the tricky winger which delighted the travelling supporter.

The game started in a frantic pace, both teams battling to gain early control. It wasn’t long before Godbold began causing issues for right backs in Ipswich, he majestically danced past the Phoenix defence before being fouled in the box, after another missed penalty last week Chris Smith looked at the next name down on the list, responsibility falling onto the shoulders of Josh, the result never in doubt as it was calmly put away, the early pressure paying off and Playford had a lead.

Phoenix had some danger men of their own, a Xherdan Shaqiri like winger began causing issues, but was very quickly shutdown by Sticks and Luke. It was the Phoenix number 10 who caused the most issues, gazelle like running was hard to stop and he was able to bag 2 first half goals, the first, a contentious penalty for a very debatable handball and the second a very good finish cutting in from the left hand side and firing past Kingy.

The second half wasn’t without its share of drama, Playford added a second after a mishap from the backline forced the keeper to pick up a back pass, Luke from the resulting lay off was able to fire past the goalkeeper at his near post with a very tidy finish.

After Phoenix grabbed a third Playford pushed for an equaliser. This led to us being exposed to a counter as we piled bodies forward, Phoenix hit us with a sharp counter and where able to win a free kick in a dangerous area, after dealing with the set piece Ellis executed a near perfect slide tackle in the eyes of everyone, apart from the man with the whistle, Phoenix were awarded a penalty and a massive chance to kill the game off, some shenanigans from Luke around the penalty spot was met with pelters from the usually quiet Phoenix goalkeeper. The striker stepped up and saw his penalty saved excellently by Kingy, unfortunately there was no Deeney moment for Playford and Phoenix held on for all 3 points.