Bill Slee cup

Phoenix 4

South Zeal Utd 2

ALTHOUGH always the hot favourites to progress to the final of the Bill Slee cup this was no walkover for the home side who were confronted by a very resiliant South Zeal team at the Wonford playing fields on Saturday.

Phoenix got off to a great start as they took the lead after five minutes when a goal kick was headed into the Zeal penalty area and fell for one of the home sides forwards to to score with a mis-hit shot that looped into the far corner of the net.

Going one down so early did not deter Zeal and they could have scored twice in the next 10 minutes as first Harley Cann was put through by Darren Prouse with the resulting shot being well saved by the Phoenix keeper. Then a great corner from Redd Cann was headed narrowly wide by Tom Reilly with the home keeper stranded .

Zeal were now outplaying Phoenix and drew level after 20 minutes when Redd Cann struck another great corner that was headed into the roof of the Phoenix net by Harley Cann. Two minutes later Zeal went 2-1 up when a Scott Hooper throw-in was taken on by Harley Cann who, after beating his marker, produced a great finish that found the far corner of the home sides net.

Two one up at haf time Zeal managed to stem the Phoenix pressure for another 20 minutes with the defence marshalled by Lee Gilbert in heroic form; however, after another attack from the home side the resulting clearance fell nicely for a Pheonix player to hit a great volley into the net giving Reg Wonnacott in the Zeal goal no chance.

The home side took the lead 10 minutes later with a soft penalty and made the game safe 10 minutes from time as Zeal pushed on for an equaliser.