Worksop Town reserves battle back to beat AFC Phoenix
Worksop Town Reserves edged a thrilling second half to beat AFC Phoenix 3-2 on Saturday.
Worksop started with DJ Smith in goal, replacing Rodzos, who was on holiday and also saw the first appearance of Max Eastwood since August. Max is dual signed with Dearne & District at Step 6, but with them having no game, Max was able to get a full 90 minutes of football rather than 20 or so minutes as a substitute, albeit at a higher level.
The match started with both teams on the attack when possible. Gillatt shot wide and then Eastwood shot over the bar. A long shot from Betts was saved by the Phoenix custodian while debut keeper Smith saved well for the home side.!
The visitors forced a corner which was headed wide before Abdy shot over the bar. Gillatt then had a shot deflected for a corner before an Eastwood cross was saved by the Phoenix keeper. On 42 minutes Jack Watts had to come off being replaced by White. There was just time for a long shot by Eastwood before the half-time whistle.
Play resumed with the visitors scoring twice in 3 minutes. First on 46 minutes Chris Hopkins put the visitors ahead, and Danny Fisher added a second.
At this point Kai Reet and Ryan Short replaced Ollie Conner and Luke Abdy. With the icy downpour now beginning to bite, a Worksop corner came to nought before Kai Reet headed in from a free kick around the 60 minute mark. Just after this Will Bates replaced Elliott Probert. Phoenix almost made it 3-1 as an effort went just wide of the post and then a second goal attempt struck the foot of the upright.
Worksop recovered their poise and Josh Sinclair levelled the score at 2-2 after 70 minutes. As the rainstorm showed no sign of abating, players were requiring more attention, with the visitors using their subs to relace injured colleagues. Then just two minutes after his first goal Josh Sinclair did it again. Smith threw the ball out to Reet who progressed down the wing and crossed for Josh to put Worksop 3-2 up.
Carver then headed a corner over the bar before Phoenix, looking for an equaliser, put a free kick over the top and then hit the crossbar.