Blues come back to keep the title charge on track...

MATCH REPORT: BURGESS HILL PHOENIX BLUE VS SEAFORD TOWN | 07/03/25

FULL TIME: 5 - 2

On Friday the Blues were up against Seaford in Division 1 of the Women’s flexi league. This was a postponed game from December so it was the 1st time we’ve played them this season and it came hot on the tail of a game against Heathfield & Horam less than a week before that left George badly injured (get well soon George!). After a minutes silence for 10 year old Poppy Atkinson who died in a sports pitch crash, the game kicked off.

It’s fair to say we started the game with a little bit of unease. We couldn’t get our usual passing going and were struggling to get going. Seaford settled much quicker and started to press the back line. Lauren was working hard to out run every Seaford attacker and cut out several crucial balls into the box. Seaford managed to get a ball into the feet of their attacker who connected with it perfectly and scored. We were 1-0 down. As always we remained resolute, positive affirmations were spoken but ultimately it was down to business. Believe in yourselves Phoenix let’s go. From the kick off Naomi to Skilton, to Donna then to Jo who was in on goal. Jo cut the ball beautifully across the face of the goal which was met by Rachael, shot was just wide. We started to settle, getting the ball out to Fran on the wing. Fran put the ball in, Jo tapped back to Naomi, Naomi shot just wide.

It was end to end, Chanelle and Sheena were working hard on the wings as Seaford had a lot of pace and were working the channels. Becky and Nyssa were combining to try and nullify Seaford’s attack. Seaford put another ball into the box, Bash came to meet it but the ball was pelted hard straight against her face. Bash’s head injury meant she needed to go off. As a team Phoenix Blue came together. Several players stepped up to go in goal but Becky made an executive decision and put the gloves on 🧤💪We made a few changes including bringing Rachael on.

Phoenix Blue have a never say die attitude but at this point we were ready for half time however despite all the action we were only 12 minutes in to the 1st half 😮🫣🤣 it was on. Something changed in that moment and we started to play, Fran played a beautiful ball into the box, Donna tapped it on and Rachael got the decisive touch. Smash 💥 back of the net 1-1 game on!

Mel came on for Chanelle and kept up the intensity at the back alongside, Nyssa, Lauren and Sheena. Mel stole the ball from the feet of a Seaford player and put in a pass to Donna who sent a delicately weighted ball just over Naomi’s head, it fell perfectly to Naomi’s feet, one touch forward, second touch forward - defender beaten - goalkeeper charging forward but pow Naomi lobbed the keeper 2-1 to Phoenix 🎉 cue absolutely crazy loud celebrations, the come back was on!

Were we satisfied? Hell no! we kept going.

Sheena and Rachael were combining beautifully on the left and played the ball out from the back with a few tidy one twos before playing the ball to Jo. Jo ran the ball up the pitch and played in Fran who took a shot, just missed. Mel again cut out a Seaford attack this time playing the ball across the middle of the pitch to Donna, Donna to Naomi, to Rachael, to Fran. Fran played it to Skilton who took a touch (I honestly don’t think I’ve ever heard so many people shout shoot at once) and smashed it - goal, followed by Skilton dropping to her knees in celebration 💥🎉 3-1!

Still we pressed, still we played - Nyssa and Lauren combining to protect Becky by shutting down the middle of defence, creating an absolute wall. Lauren’s pace was making it difficult for Seaford to

play the ball into the box on the ground and Nyssa’s height was keeping their long ball game at bay. Lauren played the ball out from the back, passing to Sheena who ran the ball up and played across the middle to Jo. Jo played the ball to Naomi, who again nudged it forward past her defender, again the keeper was bearing down. Naomi flicked it past the keeper - goal!! 4-1 to Phoenix. Half time - phew 😮‍💨

Lots of changes at half time - Bash back on 👏 Sam H and Nicky on! Sam H and Nicky got stuck straight in, Sam’s fresh legs and energy carried her to the byline almost immediately, she cut the ball in to Nicky who took an incredible shot from outside of the box, it looked like it was heading into the goal but for a good save from the Seaford keeper. Seaford kept pressing, Bash was back in command, directing the defence and clearing the ball from the box. Seaford won a free kick but Bash set up her wall, the shot was on target, saved and held by Bash. Seaford managed to get a ball through, with Nyssa chasing an attacker and clearing the ball. Seaford took a corner, Bash was surrounded and the ball was bouncing all over the place. Seaford managed to get it into the net - 4-2.

Chanelle came back on and combined well with Rachael to play the ball up field with Chanelle taking a shot - just wide. Fran played in Donna, who took a shot - just wide. We kept on attacking with Sam H getting a good chance that just hit the side netting. Skilton was working hard in the middle to cut the ball out with her header game on point again. Lauren was still chasing people down and winning all day long! Sheena was working hard to cut the long ball threat out and run it up the pitch. Ball played into Nicky from Sam H again for a good chance but it was cut out by the Seaford defence. Becky was back on and cut out a ball heading into the box, ran it out and played a great pass into Fran who cut into the box and absolutely hammered it - goal! 5-2 Phoenix! Final whistle, job done, come back complete, don’t ever count us out 💪🎉💙