Phoenix edge past Kenilworth Wardens on penalties
Coventry Phoenix avenged their mid-week thrashing in the Bedworth Nursing Cup to knock Kenilworth Wardens out of the Stan Oulds Cup on penalties.
The much-changed Phoenix started on the front foot and created two quality chances in the opening 10 minutes.
Captain Blake Kassar was slipped in but his one-on-one was well saved from Tom Day.
Moments later Kassar was left free at the back post but his powerful header hit the ground and bounced over.
Wardens nearly took the lead themselves when Jack Boden beat two players but could not convert his shot.
The game fell into a pattern of Phoenix dominating possession but breaking down when played forward due to Wardens excellent defending.
Phoenix's Jean Dakouri was excellent at stopping counter attacks relying on his speed and strength meanwhile Wardens lost playmarker Boden who was replaced by Harrison Wright.
On 44 minutes Wright won the ball back high up and played in Sol Bloomer on the right wing. Bloomer's excellent cross was volleyed in brilliantly by talismanic striker Dan Twigger, for his 20th goal of the season.
At half time Wardens introduced Adam Hnat who gave Wardens more control on the ball. However Phoenix equalized five minutes into half time after a clinical finish from Kassar.
Neither side created anything to win the game in normal time.
Despite an excellent save by Day for Phoenix's first penalty, Phoenix won the shootout 4-2 to head to the semi final.
"Coventry Phoenix are a really talented side and probably deserved to win," player-manager Eamonn Richards said after the game.
"Tactically they changed things, kept the ball better and nullified our counter attack with Dakouri dropping back in.
"We were tired after the effects from Wednesday are were loose on the ball. That being said, we were excellent defensively and off the ball. Lads work rate was brilliant.
"Penalties are always a horrible way to loose but to be disappointed with loosing on penalties and with aspects of performance just shows how far we've grown and developed as a team."
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