Banstead Athletic 0-2 Phoenix Sports - I think it was too easy for us at times, says Steve O'Boyle

BANSTEAD ATHLETIC  0-2  PHOENIX SPORTS
The FA Carlsberg Vase Second Qualifying Round
Saturday 21^st September 2013
Stephen McCartney reports from Merland Rise

PHOENIX SPORTS’ joint-manager Steve O’Boyle says his side should have scored double figures during their FA Carlsberg Vase debut.

The Barnehurst based club booked their place in Monday’s first round draw after easing their way past a poor Banstead Athletic side at Merland Rise.

Alex Nelson will go down in history as the club’s first goalscorer in The FA Vase as Phoenix Sports had to wait 48 minutes to score, before substitute Daryl Wheeler’s fine solo goal sealed the victory that should have been far greater than two goals.

Today’s Second Qualifying Round just proves how club’s fortunes can turn for better or worse.  Banstead Athletic were playing Ryman League Division One football in 2006, whilst Phoenix Sports were playing Kent County League Division One West football – which in old money was three levels lower.

Since then, Phoenix Sports clinched the Kent Invicta League title last season and arrived in Surrey sitting at the summit of the Southern Counties East Football League table with 18 points from 9 games, having played the most games in the division and with three defeats to their name.

Banstead Athletic have plummeted to the second tier of the Combined Counties League (Step 6) and went into this game in the bottom four with 5 points from seven games and without a win on their bobbly pitch.

“You can see with our traveling supporters that were here today singing, you could see what it means to the club to be playing in a FA competition,” said O’Boyle after their stroll, close to Epsom Racecourse.

“We’ve got a lot of lads at the club who have wanted this day for such a long time and today it’s come true for them and they’re going to enjoy the coach journey home.”

O’Boyle added: “I thought if we had got double figures today, I don’t think anyone would be surprised.  We’ve had a load of chances. We’ve dominated the game from start to finish.

“Yes, 2-0, all that matters is that we’re through to the next round, so we’re happy.”

Banstead Athletic looked lively in the early stages with left-back Elliott Nelmes joined winger Darren Titre-Wilson in giving Ryan Andrews and James Brown problems but despite their trickery they failed to create more than one chance on target.

Phoenix Sports gave striker Miles Cornwell his debut having signed him from Kent Invicta League side Bearsted after their manager Tony Cornwell resigned on 31 August.

O’Boyle felt his new signing – who came in for eleven-goal striker Ricky Freeman who was on holiday in America - should have scored inside the opening five minutes.

Brown pumped a clearance straight down the middle of the pitch and big target-man Andrew Dalhouse flicked the ball to release Cornwell through on goal but instead of shooting when he only had goalkeeper Ryan Musselwhite to beat he passed to Jordan Gallacher who was denied by a saving tackle by Joe Blendell.

Cornwell, who has already scored three goals for Bearsted this season, scooped man-of-the-match with a fine debut.

O’Boyle is delighted to snap him up, helped by his father Tony, who was in the crowd today.

“Listen, he played against us last season. We drew four-all at Bearsted and he absolutely ruined us,” said O’Boyle.

“We’ve kept tabs on him for a long time. He’s one of the players in the Kent Invicta League I really rated.

“When his dad resigned at Bearsted it was one of them. We through we’d have a punt. We’re so pleased he’s joined our club. I think he’ll be fantastic for us.”

Reflecting on his first chance, O’Boyle said: “He passed!  I wonder if Ricky Freeman would have passed there? No! 

“Listen, maybe he’s being a bit too nice there on his debut. For me, you don’t pass there as a centre forward! You see the whites of the eyes of the goalkeeper and you just shoot basically! 

“I can’t fault his performance. I though he was outstanding!  He worked hard. He held the ball up well. The only thing missing from it was a goal.”

Midfielder Chris Edwards went close when he whipped his curling right-footed 30-yard free-kick over the wall and the ball bounced into the foot of the side netting, with the diving goalkeeper relieved to see the ball go just wide.

O’Boyle is delighted that the player nicknamed “Chrissy Orange” is back at the club after leaving to join Thamesmead Town last December.

Edwards scored the winning penalty in Thamesmead’s Ryman League Division One North play-off final win over Maldon & Tiptree in May.

Edwards was released by Keith McMahon in August and had short spells with Erith & Belvedere and VCD Athletic before returning to Phoenix Sports.

“So pleased to have him back,” said O’Boyle.  “I was gutted to lose him after the season he was having last season. To lose him when we did was a big blow for us. 

“We got through the season and done really well but for him to come back that’s a massive signing for our club.

“We’ve had a good week with him coming back and Miles’ coming in today.  I think we’ve done well.  We’re quite happy with the squad we’ve got. We’ve got a few players out injured still. Ricky’s on holiday and once everyone’s back fit and whatever I think we’ve got a half decent squad.”

Phoenix Sports’ left-back Richie Hamill was given time and space by Banstead right-back Harry Wise to float in a cross, which sailed over Cornwell’s head to find Dalhouse at the far post, who took a touch, cut inside his marker and Musselwhite got down low to his right to make the save.

Dominant Phoenix Sports squandered another chance when Gallacher – who was soon to be forced off with an injury to his right knee – ran through the middle of the Banstead defence before threading the ball through to Cornwell, whose right-footed chip dropped over the bar.

Phoenix Sports’ goalkeeper, Adam Woodward, who was making his first start of the season after recovering from a hamstring injury, had the audacity to walk over to the large travelling supporters in the covered stand down the touchline to ask one of the supporters to go to the bar and purchase him a can of an energy drink that gives you wings.

But afterwards focused Woodward was called into making his only save of the game in the 25^th minute.

Nelmes whipped in a cross from the left towards the edge of the penalty area and Tyrone Newton’s first time right-footed drive forced Woodward to get down low beside his post to make a smart save.

O’Boyle said: “He’s been out of the side all season through injury. He pulled his hamstring in pre-season.

“We decided to bring him back in today. He captained the side last season and he’s a big part of our club. He never lets us down when he goes in between the sticks. He had a good game today, what he had to do he done well. That was it!”

That was to be the only chance that Banstead Athletic were to create as Phoenix Sports’ frustrated their large following with numerous missed chances.

However, the breakthrough nearly came, but a fine piece of defending from Ted Fitzgerald twice thwarted Phoenix Sports in the 34^th minute.

Wheeler cut inside from the right and rolled the ball across to Dalhouse, who took the ball forward before cutting the ball back to Cornwell, whose initial shot was blocked on the line by Fitzgerland, who then made another fine block to deny Wheeler, who tried to stab the ball over the line from close range.

Three minutes later Cornwell cut the ball back to Nelson, who had his head in his arms when his right-footed shot from 20-yards rolled into Musselwhite’s arms.

Wheeler then played the ball up to Cornwell, whose hooked pass released Edwards down the right and his cross from the by-line deflected off Blendell at the near post and Musselwhite caught the ball to his right.

Nelson’s run before half-time saw him put in big and powerful striker Dalhouse, who cut inside and his left-footed shot was caught by the busy Banstead keeper.

O’Boyle was puzzled just how the game was goal-less at the break, but wise words from him and Tony Beckingham were inspirational.

“I actually think it was too easy for us at times with the chances,” admitted O’Boyle.

“We had too much time around the box, for some reason we was trying to walk it on or try to make sure it was going in and that was probably maybe the problem.

“You’re right, it should never have been 0-0 at half-time – if we walked in 5-0 at half-time no one would’ve had any complaints.”

When asked what was said during the interval, you can imagine Tony Beckingham giving the players’ a blast from his hairdryer.

But O’Boyle said: “I’ve been so relaxed all day basically. For me we controlled the game from start to finish. All I said to the lads at half-time was as long as we keep doing the same things, keep on being patient. If we don’t score the next chance we’ve got to make sure we’re going to score the next chance.

“Don’t panic! If we carry on doing what we’re doing we’re going to come through the game.  I had no doubts in that today.  To be fair I don’t think they were much of a side. I think we were comfortable all day. I was really relaxed about the whole thing.”

Phoenix Sports’ central midfielder Jack Hope played the ball into Cornwell, who cut the ball back to Nelson, whose right-footed hooked volley bounced wide of the near post from 12-yards after only 34 seconds.

But the former Canterbury City midfielder went down in history as he scored Phoenix Sports’ first goal in the competition 137 seconds into the second half.

Wheeler was instrumental with a penetrating run before playing the ball into Cornwell’s feet and the striker cut the ball back to Nelson, who stroked a first time right-footed drive from 12-yards across Musselwhite for the ball to nestle into the bottom far corner.

O’Boyle said: “Great finish! He’s got that in his locker! Really good player Nels, good player. We’ve brought him in from Canterbury, where he was playing last season. He came down pre-season and he’s a good addition to the squad.”

Edwards was off range with another right-footed free-kick which he whipped over the crossbar from 25-yards.

Banstead skipper Steve Tyson lost possession on the corner of his penalty area when he trod on the ball and Edwards picked up the ball and cut along the penalty area before dragging his right-footed shot wide from 20-yards.

Poor Banstead Athletic created their second and last opening in the 65^th minute when striker Newton cracked a speculative right-footed half-volley from 40-yards, which bounced three times before going wide of the far post.

Another Phoenix Sports chance went begging when Edwards’ swung in a corner from the right and the ball was headed away. Brown was lurking on the edge of the box and played the ball square to Wheeler, whose right-footed drive from 22-yards flashed wide of the far post.

Musselwhite thwarted Phoenix Sports again when he dived low to his left to turn away Cornwell’s right-footed drive after the debutant was set up by Dalhouse’s cut back after the big striker was released by Nelson’s pass.

Hamill then clipped a ball to release Dalhouse (who shrugged off Blendell) before cutting the ball across the face of the penalty area.  Edwards kicked thin air but the ball rolled to Wheeler, whose right-footed drive flashed wide once more.

Andrews’ pass was picked up by Wheeler, who cut in from the right and his right-footed curler from 20-yards sailed agonisingly over the crossbar.

Nelson then released Dalhouse, whose dinked shot beat Musselwhite but over-worked Blendell did well to get back to clear the ball off the line.

Phoenix Sports were frustrated again when Cornwell played the ball inside to Dalhouse, whose precise pass put Cornwell through on goal but his right-footed shot flashed agonisingly wide of the far post when he only had the goalkeeper to beat.

But Phoenix Sports’ dominance finally told when they doubled their lead with 42:48 on the clock.

Wheeler picked the ball up in midfield and went on a penetrating 30-yard run through the Banstead defence before sweeping a right-footed shot past the keeper to find the bottom right-hand corner – although the men in green and black should have won their historic FA Vase debut by a lot more.

“Great run, great finish,” hailed O’Boyle.  “He’s got that in his locker.  I just wish he done it a little bit more.  When he runs at people like that, nice and direct, he’s unstoppable. That’s what he does, he can do that.

“I actually thought Daryl was not great until the last half-hour. I thought he gave the ball away a little bit in the middle third but then in the last bit, a great solo goal and he had a decent couple of runs at the end there, which we know he can do and he done that continuously last season for us.”

The management team revealed the club received the £600 prize money following their walkover following Sidley United’s sad demise.

The club banked a further £800 in prize money today and O’Boyle said: “We can talk about chances all day long. It weren’t about that. We’ve won today 2-0. We’ve dominated the game from start to finish and we’re in the hat on Monday, that’s all that matters really.

“I’m not going to lie. I could stand here and lie. I’m not going to lie. To be honest I thought they was really poor. There was only one team in it the whole day.

“If we had won by seven, eight or nine or whatever, no-one would’ve had any complaints.

“We’re just happy to be in the hat and see who we pull out on Monday. Would we like a home draw? I quite enjoy away days. I do like an away day.

“The round before was Sidley, they folded. You still get the money so that was easier than today.  To be honest with you it was an easy game in the end.”

O’Boyle paid tribute to the coachload of supporters that swelled the attendance to 45.

“I thought we had 44 of them. They were very vocal.”

Banstead Athletic: Ryan Musselwhite, Harry Wise, Elliott Nelmes, Steve Tyson, Joe Blendell, Ted Fitzgerald, Tyrone Newton, David Burton (James Robertson 84), Kyle Green, Connor McClaren (Daniel Coombes 44), Darren Titre-Wilson.
Subs: Luke Wilson, Ross Birch

Booked: Steve Tyson 70

Phoenix Sports: Adam Woodward, Ryan Andrews, Richie Hamill, Jack Hope, James Brown, Chris Hill, Alex Nelson, Chris Edwards, Andrew Dalhouse, Miles Cornwell, Jordan Gallacher (Daryl Wheeler 23).
Subs: Nytran Dixon-Baker, George Whitelock, Dean Nash

Goals: Alex Nelson 48, Daryl Wheeler 88

Booked: Andrew Dalhouse 75, Alex Nelson 86

Attendance: 45
Referee: Mr Ian Homewood (Pulborough, West Sussex)
Assistants: Mr Darren Evans (East Grinstead, West Sussex) & Mr Rod Van Niekerk (Sutton, Surrey)