I think there's a few twists and turns to go in the Kent Invicta title race, says Scott Saunders

PHOENIX SPORTS manager Scott Saunders has praised club officials for their graft as they bid to get their ground up to scratch for a higher level of football.


Phoenix Sports groundsman Alan Pearson got the pitch at the Bexleyheath based club playable after every single game in Kent in League Two, the FA Trophy. Conference South, Ryman League and the Kent Hurlimann Football League was frozen off.

With VCD Athletic’s Oakwood floodlights visible from the Phoenix Sports Club, one other Kent Invicta League game took place yesterday, Sutton Athletic’s 3-0 win over Erith & Dartford Town around the corner.

Six Haart of Kent County League matches took place yesterday, as Kent suffered from the first big freeze of the year.

Phoenix leapfrogged over Hollands & Blair into third place in the table, following their 3-0 win over Ashford United yesterday, courtesy of two goals from striker Alfie Harris and midfielder Adam Cuthbert’s fine solo goal.

A crowd of 141 watched the game, which resulted in Ashford manager Paul Chambers admitting afterwards that the title is out of reach for his side.

Phoenix are now only seven points behind league leaders Bly Spartans, with a game in hand over Matt Hume’s men, with 30 points to play for.

Saunders was full of praise for chairman Andrew Mortlock and vice-chairman Steve House for their efforts off-the-pitch.

He said: “The chairman and the vice-chairman have grafted and they’ve got the application in for the lights, beautiful (playing) surface.  The groundsman has grafted on the pitch and got it up to a great standard.

“We’ve got a couple of old boys’ teams, like the Vets team, who come back for their drinks so there’s a good atmosphere at the club.

“We’ve also got the Academy team, reserves.  There’s a great set up here so I can’t see why it can’t be a Kent League club, definitely.”

With Thamesmead’s game away to Ilford frozen off yesterday, manager Keith McMahon said he and Dartford manager Tony Burman regularly drink together at The Phoenix Sports Club, which is based at Mayplace Road East.

The title race for the inaugural Kent Invicta League campaign is destined to go down to an exciting climax.

“Ten games to go and they’re all difficult games,” added Saunders.  I think there’s quite a few twists and turns to go in this league.

“One team can be terrible one week and then turn out a performance next week so yes, we’ve got to get the boys up for every game and try and get three points.”

Saunders takes his side to Jockey Farm to face fourth-from-bottom Rusthall, who play just outside Tunbridge Wells.

He said: “Another tough game. It’s never the greatest surface down there.  It will probably be a different game than it was yesterday.”

Visit the club’s website: www.phoenixsportsclub.org 

Rusthall  v  Phoenix Sports
Kent Invicta League
Saturday 11^th February 2012
Kick Off 2:00pm
at Jockey Farm, Nellington Road, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8SH