It’s no secret we have let quite a few winning situations slip, says Phoenix Sports boss Paul Bryon

PHOENIX SPORTS manager Paul Bryon says he wants his side to stop throwing away points from winning positions.

 

The club extended their winless run to seven games after throwing away a lead against title-chasing side Hastings United last weekend, having to settle for a 3-3 home draw.

Phoenix Sports sit in tenth-place in the Bostik South East Division table with 26 points from 19 games and are nine points adrift of fifth-placed side Whyteleafe.

Phoenix Sports welcome third-placed Horsham tomorrow and Bryon is keen for his players to retain winning positions.

“We have another tough test tomorrow against a strong Horsham team,” he said.

“The last time we met we were 2-0 up with seven minutes of the first half left and we went in 2-2 and did not really recover and ended up losing 3-2.

“It’s no secret we have let quite a few winning situations slip. However, Horsham was the only game we have lost from a winning position and the rest have been draws!

“It was the same last week against Hastings.  We were 2-0 up at half-time and ended up drawing the game 3-3. 

“There are two reasons this has happened to us this season.  We don’t take our chances to kill a game off and we have lost our concentration in short periods of the second half.

“Against Hastings, I cannot fault us because we play with passion and tenacity and executed a plan. 

“As I said last week, Hastings away was the only time we have not competed in a game all season and I wanted to make sure we were in the game all the way through. 

“We achieved this after letting a 2-0 lead slip we were losing 3-2 and we showed massive character to get back into the game and draw.

“I was disappointed with the result after we had three excellent chances but pleased with the performance mainly and the character showed.

“It shows we can compete with all of the top teams at this level and there are some good teams in the league.”

Horsham are tipped to do well this season and Bryon expects another tough game.

“I’m looking for a reaction tomorrow from our defeat at their ground last time and I am sure I will get it,” he said.

“We have a small squad but with mostly fit.  Ryan Andrews will miss tomorrow with a tight hamstring. He played last week but has not trained for two weeks and needs a rest. 

“I’m really glad to have Jack Hopkins back tomorrow after being out for a few months with a knee issue. He has had some minutes for the reserves and it’s good to see him back.”

Phoenix Sports are 10 points clear of bottom-of-the-table side Faversham Town, who have lost five of the eight games that Danny Chapman and Phil Miles have been charge at Salters Lane.

“Looking at the table we need to get some wins on the board and put some space between us and those below.  A couple of wins and you can climb the table, also a couple of losses and you can drop a few places.”

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

Phoenix Sports  v  Horsham
Bostik South East Division
Saturday 19 January 2019
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Mayplace Road East, Barnehurst, Kent DA7 6JT