The league is very tight. We are seventh at the moment but can’t afford any poor performances or we could easily slip seven or so places, says Phoenix Sports boss Paul Bryon

PHOENIX SPORTS manager Paul Bryon says his side cannot afford to slip up against struggling Shoreham tomorrow.

Phoenix are in seventh-place in the Bostik South table with 47 points from their 29 league games and are six points adrift of Walton Casuals, who occupy the final play-off berth.

Phoenix Sports’ chances of grabbing that spot were helped after thrashing Guernsey 5-0 at home last Saturday.

“We went into the game with our main forward (Jeff Duah-Kessie) injured and we had to move things around a little,” said Bryon.

“Christie Pattison went up top and Onoride (Kelvin) Ogboe came in wide for Christie. 

“We started the game brightly but we were quite wasteful with the opportunities in the first half and a game that should really have been over at half-time was in the balance still with us just one goal up.

“At half-time we spoke about patience and composure in the final third and I was pleased with our reaction to these missed chances.

“We came out and did not panic and soon took control of the game again. Going 3-0 up by the 57th minute gave me a good opportunity to give some others some playing time as the game was over at 3-0.

“Five goals came from four players (Pattison, Conrad Lee 2, Ogboe and Jack Hopkins) with our forward out is a very good sign.

“Most pleasing to me is it was our third clean sheet in a row and that’s what we have worked on building foundations in a game from the back. Keeping a good shape when we don’t have it and a good tempo when we do, so a good day all round.”

Shoreham are rooted to the foot of the table with five points from their 27 games and are 15 points adrift of safety (taking goal-difference into account) and are destined to suffer relegation.

“Jeff Duah-Kessie is back and I have a full squad to choose from, quite rare at this time of the season, but pleasing,” revealed Bryon.

“As we have seen all season league positions mean nothing on a Saturday.  We know it will be a hard game tomorrow and we need to be focused and on it from minute one.  We won’t be changing much, still setting out our foundations when we have not got it and being dynamic and positive when we have.

“I have a good squad, some selection headaches which is a good position to be in. Our squad has not changed much and we all know each other well and are all getting better at our individual jobs which makes us a team, but I told them at training last night anything but our best on Saturday and we will come away disappointed.

“The league is very tight. We are seventh at the moment but can’t afford any poor performances or we could easily slip seven or so places. It makes it exciting and enjoyable.”

Visit Phoenix Sports’ website: www.phoenixsportsclub.co.uk

Shoreham  v  Phoenix Sports
Bostik South Division
Saturday 13 January 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Middle Road, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex BN43 6GA