Phoenix Too Strong For Gutsy Westside
Brisbane Phoenix 4 (Bright 30'; Scanlon 33'; Adam 68'; Bwormoi 90+3')
Westside Grovely 0
HT 2-0
Played at: CJ Greenfield Reserve
Brisbane Phoenix progressed to a RD4 showdown in the Pig 'N' Whistle Canale Cup against fellow Capital League 2 side Toowong, after dispensing of Capital League 3's Westside Grovely on Monday night. Keegan Bright set Phoenix on their way on the half hour when he chested down Jesse Zunic's cut back lob and volleyed the ball past Joe Sieben in the Westside goal. The hosts extended their lead when Blaise Tshitenga did superbly in the corner to maintain possession and whip in a looping cross deep into the box which Sieben misjudged as John Scanlon ghosted in at the back and headed into the unguarded net. Westside actually looked the more composed in the opening stages with lanky striker Ross Peach impressing with his footwork and agility, but they were unable to carve out any clear cut opportunities other than when Graham Smith was put through on goal, only to send his effort across the face of goal and wide of the mark. Phoenix looked the more dangerous in front of goal when going forward though and a good save from Sieben from Tshitenga's deflected shot from the edge of the box kept the scores level before Bright's opener. With a two goal advantage heading into the break, Westside needed to push forward to get back into the game and as a result, left themselves open to counter attacks. A couple of one on one opportunities early in the second half fell to Phoenix's Remy Bwormoi and Bright who ought to have done better from, but were saved well by Sieben. It took until the hour mark for the home side to put the game beyond the visitors with Sieben a touch unlucky after initially saving well from Ayman Adam's powerful shot after the Phoenix midfielder had been played into the box with just Sieben to beat. But Adam reacted quickly and latched onto the rebound from Sieben's block, smashing the ball high into the back of the net from close range. Phoenix should have put the game to bed on a number of occasions after that but Sieben produced a string of fine saves to frustrate the hosts and keep the score respectable. Alistair Pase made a good solo run with just over a quarter of an hour remaining, only to be thwarted by the Westside stopper who followed up with a superb double save minutes later to deny Bright his second of the game after he'd been put clean through on goal. Sieben blocking Bright's first effort and smothering the second as Bright attempted to slip the ball under him. Bright was again guilty of wasting a golden opportunity late on with a close range effort that Sieben proved the equal of. With added time nearly up, Bwormoi picked up Adam's through ball before rounding Sieben as the keeper came out to meet him before side footing the ball home to seal the result. It wasn't all good news for Phoenix though with substitute Jack Palmer stretchered off after just six minutes of his second half introduction with a suspected broken ankle following a crude challenge from Westside's Sean Grady that saw him escape with just a caution. Phoenix Coach Luke Farinazzo will now shift his attention to Friday night's tough league encounter at home to leaders Centenary Stormers as he hopes his side don't waste the same degree of chances they had in this game. Westside also face a tricky Friday night encounter at home to Newmarket as they look to keep up the pressure on the stop four in Capital League 3.
Coaches Remarks: Luke Farinazzo (Brisbane Force): "Coming away with the win is obviously what we set out for but a bit disappointed in the quality of football which was a bit average to be honest. Just not happy overall with the performance from us there. We butchered a few of the chances we had and it could have been double figures. Westside did well, they pressured the ball and moved the ball quite well. They've got a couple of good players who played well. Our guys have got some hard training on Wednesday night. We've got a big game on Friday night for us and we'll take some points from the performance tonight into training Wednesday." Liam O'Sullivan (Westside): "It was even for the most part, first half especially, then they go two up and it stayed two up for a while. We started pressing for it and they get a couple more. To be honest, they should have won by more in the end from the last twenty minutes. From the first half especially it didn't look like a 4-0 game."
FB Media Player of the Match: Blaise Tshitenga (Brisbane Phoenix) Proved a handful all night and contributed pace and supply to Phoenix's attacking line-up.
Also special mention to Westside keeper Joe Sieben who kept his side in the game and prevented a blow out in the second half.
Team Line-ups
Brisbane Phoenix: Parsons (gk), Adam, Clare (Palmer 53'), Duligal, McFaul, Richards, Scanlon, Tshitenga, Zunic (Pase 72'), Bright, Bwormoi,
Subs: Hansen, Pase, Farinazzo, Palmer (Hansen 62').
Westside Grovely: Sieben (gk), Cannon, A. Eaton (M. Eaton 55'), Grady, D. Healion, Hunter (B. Healion 81'), Hutchinson, Khoury, C. Krohn, Peach (H. Krohn 76'), Smith.
Subs: B. Healion, M. Eaton, H. Krohn. Referee: Lara Lee
