Results
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Sunday 29th November 2009 Luton Phoenix FC 2 – 2 Luton DukesMatch Report by Ruffie
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| Good but not good enough
It’s the 3rd draw of the season for the Phoenix in which could have easily been a win. Even though, the team played well it wasn’t enough to get all 3 points. The team started out a bit slow and conceded early in the 1st few minutes. St Martin’s scored through poor defending from Phoenix outside the penalty area. Poor man marking caused the team to be down at the 1st 5 minutes. A few minutes later, Phoenix got the confidence back in the game and played good passes in which led to a beautiful through ball from Muj Zaman to Matt Osbourne who finish off beautifully to equalize. Phoenix then got caught again when a tackle from Rob O’Sullivain clashed with Ryan Walsh who was in goal when the ball somehow fell beautifully into a player from St Martins to just to tap it in into the goal to take the lead again. Mid way through the second half, Ruffie Abdul Aziz’s intercepted a pass from St Martin’s defence and played it wide to Matt Osbourne who then crossed beautifully into the box and fell sweetly into the path of Louis Ebanks whose superb strike fell it into the back of the net to equalize for the second time of the game. Phoenix came into the game in the second half anxious to win the game and rightly so controlled almost the whole of second half. Chance after chance came begging but none did the job. Louis had a shot saved from the keeper early in the second half, minutes later a long run from Rob from the defence was put through and was given the one on one chance with keeper who just missed the goal by inches. Phoenix who controlled the second half then had Matt who played a beautiful forward pass to Ruffie who took a shot but well saved again by St. Martin’s keeper. Phoenix defence was rock solid and with high confidence, Phoenix kept attacking. A corner from the earlier save shot by Ruffie led to a header by Danny which somehow when wide of the goal. The most unlucky chance that really could have sealed the game was from a late corner towards the end of the match. A corner was beautifully swung in by Matt and the ball was somehow scrambled and fell into the feet of Muj Zaman just 6 feet away from goal who just then hit the crossbar and over. Taking nothing away from the team who played really well but Phoenix has to start converting chances into Goals to be in the top half. |
| Venue: Barnfield
Referee: Scorers: Matt Osbourne Louis Ebanks Man of the Match: Rob Fair Play: Jafer Raza |
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Sunday 15h November 2009 Luton Phoenix FC 2 – 2 Lewsey St MartinMatch Report by Kamrul Haque
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| On the back of being undefeated in their last 4 league games, Luton Phoenix were looking to increase this record.
First chances came to Phoenix, firstly from a cross that was met by Louis, who firing narrowly wide from 8 yards. Next was an opportunity for Ruffie, who turned smartly inside the box, again firing past the top right corner from close range. The breakthrough finally came, when Louis volleyed smartly from a cross, only for the keeper to block with his legs, and the rebound falling to Ruffie who hit it first time, into the back of the net. At this stage Phoenix lost their way a bit, with keeper Bobby Drummond having to pull off two smart saves. Lewsey St Martins drew level with a cross to far post, which was guided in by an unmarked St Martin player. Second goal for St Martin came minutes later, in a horrific collision between Phoenix keeper, Bobby Drummond, Danny and the St Martin striker. The ball trickled through for a tap in, whilst Bobby Drummond was left needing 8 stitches in his shin, and was immediately taken to hospital. Cheung went in goal for the second half, and he made two good saves in the second half, and didn’t have much else to do as Phoenix took control. A couple of chances fell to new signing Matt Osbourne, both from tight angles, one was saved and another was fired past the far post. Matt then deservedly got his goal with a smart through ball from Zola, leaving Matt one on one with the keeper, and finishing in style. Same formula came again, with another neat through ball from Zola, only for Matt to be adjudged offside. Junaid took on two players and beat them with ease, turned intelligently in the box, and his shot was parried away by the keeper from close range. Junaid then became supplier with a good fizzing cross from the right wing, Matt would’ve got his second, but unable to reach the ball with his outstretched leg. Then some good work from the left between Rob and Louis, as Rob powered down the left flank, and crossed invitingly, but the shot was blocked. Many more chances went begging through Phoenix players to have been adjudged offside, when they may have been on, and other times when we weren’t concentrating on the line. Ruffie took a free kick just outside the box, and Phoenix were awarded a penalty when the shot was blocked from an outstretched elbow of the defender. Junaid’s penalty was blocked by the keeper who dived the right way, and gathered at the second attempt. A scrappy game in which when Phoenix took control they looked good, but we were a bit slow coming back when caught on the counter. Good defensive display from Rob and Danny, Cheung and Jafer who filled in right back in the second half. Also enough chances to win the game, disappointed to only take a point from this game when we deserved more. |
| Venue: Barnfield
Referee: Scorers: Ruffie 20 Matt Osbourne 65 Man of the Match: Rob Fair Play: Jafer Raza |
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Sunday 18th October 2009 Slip End Utd 2 – 2 Luton Phoenix FCMatch Report by Kamrul Haque
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| Phoenix started the brighter team, but for their possession couldn’t muster any clear cut chances. Then we were caught on the counter, and Slip End had taken the lead as their striker slotted passed the keeper. Phoenix started to apply so pressure, and chances fell to Junaid Afzal and Louis Ebanks, but were unlucky with there opportunities. All the pressure told, as Phoenix won a penalty, and Louis narrowly missed the top corner. Half time. Louis made up for it with a glancing header from a cross from Zola, Ebanks beating the keeper to the punch. Slip End then scored again, but Phoenix weren’t going down without a fight. A flighted ball from Danny was finished clinically by Junaid Afzal. Minutes to go and a Phoenix player was felled, and from the resulting free kick from Ruffie, Jafer Raza ran in from midfield and headed skilfully passed the Slip End keeper, only to be wrongly adjudged offside by the linesman. Then Slip End applied some pressure before the end of the game, and the defence and keeper Bobby Drummond, held strong and shut up shop.
Phoenix deserved their point, and could have won with the chances they had, however, credit should also go to Slip End Utd as their league position does not reflect how good a team they are, and no doubt they will climb the table as the season goes on. |
| Venue: Slip End Village
Referee: Scorers: Louis Ebanks 55 Junaid Afzal 75 Man of the Match: Rob Fair Play: Zola |
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Sunday 11th October 2009 Luton Phoenix FC 5 – 1 A1 F.CMatch Report by Bobby Drummond
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| Luton Phoenix 1st win of the campaign!!
Phoenix started the game well putting their opposition under a lot of pressure, Rob had a good chance early on which the goalkeeper pulled off a good save. Phoenix threatened to score a number of times until the deadlock was finally broken by Junaid, put through by Ruffie, Junaid was 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper who had no chance as the ball was smashed past him into the angle. Phoenix continually pressured A1 who hardly had a chance to speak of. With a long ball over the top from Muj, Ruffie was alone with only the Goalkeeper to beat; Ruffie calmly placed the ball over the on coming goalie to make it 2-0. To round off the 1st half, Kam had put through Junaid who was once again was alone with the keeper who again was left no chance of stopping Junaid’s powerful shot. 3-0 at half time and phoenix’s keeper was a mere spectator. A1 Kick off the second half, which started much the was the first ended with continual pressure from phoenix, once again A1 struggled to clear their lines and weakly cleared the ball which fell to Junaid’s feet for him to belt the ball past the keeper into the bottom left leaving the keeper no chance! 4-0 Again Phoenix dominated and from a corner the ball was swung in only half cleared to Asif who smashed it across the box and just as Louis was about to take his first league goal but was taken off his foot by the outstretched tree of a leg from Danny. Louis later had an opportunity, when left 1 on 1 with the keeper and was unlucky to hit the post. 5-0 now and both teams beginning to tire A1 put a bit of pressure on Phoenix missing a chance that seemed harder to miss! However, their forward made up for it 3 minutes later heading home from a corner which seemed to be covered by the keeper but also seemed to hit a divot and change direction. So there we have it a well deserved and convincing win by Phoenix. Good luck for next week lads! |
| Venue: Barnfield
Referee: Scorers: Junaid Afzal x3 Danny Hamilton Ruffie Man of the Match: Junaid Afzal Fair Play: Shahbaz Khan |
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Sunday 04th October 2009 Luton Phoenix FC 1 – 2 CricketersMatch Report by Shahbaz Khan
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| Phoenix Suffer again!!!
After losing there first three games Phoenix were looking forward to this fixture as they were playing a team in the division below. However Phoenix were in trouble before a minute was even played as players were missing and they struggled to get a team out. The first half started well with some good pressure by the Phoenix team. This eventually led to a goal for Jafer Raza who calmly passed the ball passed the keeper to make it 1-0. Keepers at both ends had very little to do in the first half but it was near the half hour mark when a ball that looked harmless seemed to trouble the Phoenix keeper and eventually the balled was scrambled in over the line. The teams went into the second half with all still to play for. Phoenix again started well but with a makeshift front two as Junaid/Louis were on International duty it was showing as very few chances were being created and the ones which were created were quickly squandered. It was late in the game with about 5 minutes to go a long ball was played by the opposition into the Phoenix penalty area and the keeper seemed to get a nudge but the referee overlooked this and awarded the penalty. The Phoenix team voiced their anger at the referee during and after the game but this did not change the result. Another defeat for the team… Morale is very low at the moment but both management and team are staying defiant and will be looking to get their first win this weekend. Apart from all the negatives there were some positives from the game. The defence looked in good shape with Rob fit and back in the team the four at the back were playing well together. Also it was a promising debut from young Zola who showed his pace and strength throughout the game. He will be one to watch this season. Kamrul Haque has told his team that they must improve and fast to stand any chance of avoiding the drop. |
| Venue: Barnfield
Referee: Scorers: Jafer Raza Man of the Match: Rob Fair Play: Lekke |
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Sunday 27th September 2009 Luton Phoenix FC 0 – 2 Black Tom RangersMatch Report by John Walsh
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| Is Phoenix out of their depth???After their two previous successive defeats of the season the Phoenix team once again lost and crashed out of the County Cup. To outsiders or critics of the team they may be thinking and hoping that the Phoenix team are out of their depths. Truth is though the Phoenix team have been playing mediocre opposition who have been fortunate to win. With the first defeat dodgy refereeing was the main cause of defeat and in the second a bias linesman ruling every attack offside whilst striker Louis Ebanks was repeatedly being physically assaulted. Now add to this the fact that over half the team were fasting in both the games and it starts to paint a different picture. These are not excuses just facts! For today’s game 2 key players were missing from the line-up against cup opponents BlackTom Rangers, so manager Kamrul Haque had some tinkering to do. This came in the form of new winger Chris Watson being given a chance on the right wing to show what he can bring to the team, Junaid Afzal was the lone striker for this game with the midfield aiming to push up and give him options. Ryan Walsh was stand in goalie for the first half after regular keeper Bobby Drummond had trouble getting out of bed and arrived a little later (we forgive him though as it was his birthday today). The game started brightly for both teams with no team really asserting their dominance on the other, the main problems for Phoenix being lack of understanding and team play going forward and a tricky left winger causing problems for the right midfielder and right back. It was from this winger that the defence was opened up and Phoenix fell behind after around 20 minutes. After the restart the game continued in the same vein and the same result occurred as Phoenix were again opened up on the right side of defence and went two goals behind although whether or not this goal was offside is up for debate. At the other end of the pitch Jafer Raza was clearly pulled down in the penalty box but was unsuccessful with his ‘calm’ and ‘diplomatic’ appeals directed at the referee. The second half in contrast was much more reflective of the potential of the Phoenix team when they have their act together. The defence made sure that they kept the enemy attacks at bay whilst the midfield finally began to start passing it about on the ground and showing their true skill. New boy Chris began to settle in his role on the right and attacked and defended with equal passion at one point hitting the post, whilst Jafa Raza and Asif Khan asserted their authority in midfield this allowed Secondary striker John Walsh to chase down opposition midfielders and try and create chances along with Ruffie on the left for Junaid. Alas after 25 minutes of play still no breakthrough was made and after a change of keeper and right back. Manage Kamrul Haque brought himself on to make a five man midfield and try and make the breakthrough. Though more chances were created the breakthrough in the end would not come and with 10 minutes left team fatigue really started to kick in. The final attack of the game came from a one two between John and Junaid in the box with Junaid sending a pass across the goal mouth which went begging. The referee in general gave a fair and good performance today with both linesmen calling most decisions correctly. The plus points for Phoenix are that finally the players started to show their capabilities and that now fasting is over, fitness levels of the whole squad can really start to improve, the only barrier after that will be cohesion and understanding between the squad members. The question shouldn’t be are Phoenix out of their depth? But instead ‘Just how long it will be until the Phoenix players do themselves justice and start wiping the floor with their lesser opponents?’ |
| Venue: Leagrave Park Referee:Scorers: Man of the Match: Jafer Raza Fair Play: John Walsh |
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Sunday 13th September 2009 Luton Phoenix FC 1 – 6 F.C HallmarkMatch Report by Jafer Raza
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| It was a fairly even first half with F.C. Hallmark going ahead through an own goal by Danny Hamilton. However, after being put through by Ruffie Junaid levelled with neat strike just inside the … box.F.C Hallmark was awarded a dubious penalty before half time, which their striker slotted the ball in the bottom left corner sending Phoenix keeper Bobby Drummond the wrong way.After a bright start Phoenix conceded an early goal against the run of play due to a defensive lapse. Phoenix were chasing the game thereafter in search of goals to get back in the game. The Phoenix continued to press, but several dubious offside decision by the opposition linesman broke down the play and were consequently repeatedly caught on the break and conceded 3 further goals to end the game Luton Phoenix 1-6 F.C Hallmark. |
| Venue:Barnfield
Referee: Scorers: Junaid Afzal Man of the Match: Shabaz Khan Fair Play: Chris Watson |
Sunday 6th September 2009
Hansom Cab 3 - 2 Luton Phoenix FC(Match Abandoned)Match Report by Kamrul Haque
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| Luton Phoenix was the brighter of the two sides in the first half, starting the new season with great promise.Phoenix had the majority of the chances in the first half starting with Junaid Afzal collecting the ball on the left switching it to the middle where Louis Ebanks then laid it off to Jafer Raza who would’ve been clean through but for a dubious offside flag.Another move started by Ruffie Abdul-Aziz on the right, gave Junaid Afzal an opportunity to run at the defence and narrow fire over.
All the pressure led to a corner for the Phoenix, taken short by Ruffie Abdul-Aziz, for Danny (Honeymonster) Hamilton to loft the ball over the keeper to give Phoenix a deserved lead. Then, Phoenix were caught napping as Hansom Cab scored an equaliser from a counter-attack. Phoenix tried to take the lead again, and Asif Khan had put through Louis Ebanks laid it across to Jafer Raza, only for the defender to intercept. Phoenix then retook the lead through Junaid Afzal, when Jafer Raza won the ball and gave it to Louis Ebanks, who then fed it through to Junaid Afzal who shot from the edge of the box sending the keeper the wrong way. Rob O’Sullivan was taken off injured late in the first half which meant that Phoenix had to change their shape for the remainder of the half. Second half started brightly when John Walsh passed to Junaid, who in turn passed it to Jafer, Louis then received it only to be denied by the keeper. Also Louis nipped in ahead of the keeper from a midfield ball, lofted the keeper, his effort was cleared off the line. He was taken off due to the injury sustained from the keeper’s challenge. Hansom Cab then came into their own with a succession of chances that were either cleared by the defence or saved by the keeper. Asif Khan had then put Ruffie through who had taken the keeper wide, and the resulting cross was fired over by Junaid. Ruffie Abdul-Aziz received the ball on left, and shot over the bar. Hansom Cab then equalised for the second time in the 75th minute from a cross which was met by a Cab player with a late run at the far post. Hansom Cab then went for the winner, controlling the ball possession for the remainder of the game, but kept out by Phoenix. Bobby Drummond kept well in goal, with some good saves in the second half, but was unfortunate while setting his wall, Hansom Cab took a quick free kick with the keeper out of position, and all Phoenix players waiting for the referee’s whistle. The Phoenix players were outraged when they found that the goal stood. With only 5 minutes left on the clock, the was little time to get back into the game, but a minute later a fairly fought tackle left a Cab player down, with fears of a broken leg, the ambulance was called and the game abandoned. Injuries affected the game, but hopefully Rob O’Sullivan who had a good first half is looking to be back for next week, where as Louis Ebanks is doubtful, and may need to rest his ankle for a couple of weeks. Some good performances all round, and some positives to take from this game as the Phoenix enters a new chapter. |
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Venue: Wigmore Park Referee: Mr M Maher (60/100) Scorers: Danny Hamilton 20 Man of the Match: Danny Hamilton Fair Play: Shabaz Khan |
