First Grade

Magic traveled to No1 Sportsground to take on an in form Phoenix

Rangers.

It was always going to be a tough game, with Phoenix matching our squad

in quality players. The first half was a tough battle with Phoenix

finally breaking the deadlock with a well taken goal by an unmarked Paul

Wheeler who was hovering on the outside of the box. Magic had plenty of

opportunities in the attacking third but could not turn anything into a

goal. We went to the break with Phoenix up 1-0.

It was more of the same in the second half. A few well taken freekicks

by Haynesy came up goalless after some fine saves by the young and

inexperienced Phoenix keeper. Haynes was again unlucky not to get on the

scoresheet when his well taken header hit the crossbar. We had to chase

the game and a breakdown in attack saw us caught man on man at the back.

Pheoenix put another one in the back of the net and it was basically game

over. This result see's us still third from bottom of the table and the

team will need to win most of their remaining games to get a sniff of

semi finals football this year, something we've become used too in the

past six years. We certainly have the quality to do this but it will be

hard work and I'm sure the boys realise this so they need our support

more than ever.            

Reserve Grade

Magic travelled to meet Phoenix with form suggesting a good chance for a win
however form is deceptive in the reserve competition with regular changes to
team lineups by all Clubs and a leader board which has the top six teams
changing places every week.

Phoenix were very physical early and after a goal mouth melee scrambled a
goal  to put Magic under pressure at 0-1 down. The first half was otherwise
uneventful as Magic struggled to break open the defence and found it very
hard to cope with the hard and bouncy Spotrs Ground surface after playing
all their matches so far on soft and spongy pitches.

After half time Magic stepped up a notch  improving in this aspect of their
play following a few slow second half starts  in recent weeks. The team
began to adjust to the bounce . Afful  and Ellenbacher made a number of
strong attacking runs through the midfield and Magic took field position
away from Phoenix  who were relying on counter attack trying to isolate lone
defenders while Magic stuck to their  passing game. Midway through the
second half solid build up saw Magic score from a Sweetman header to level
at 1-1 and the last 20 minutes were dominated by Magic but unfortunately the
winning goal could not be found with several good chances going wide or
high.

Magic are holding third place on goal averages but will need to win
consistently to maintain a place near the top of the draw.