Friday evening Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division football takes place at The Christopher Russell Stadium, Barnehurst when Phoenix Sports host Corinthian.
Following relegation from the Isthmian League South East division last season, Phoenix struggled to settle back in the SCEFL and have now appointed Jake Goodman as first team player manager after a short spell as caretaker. That followed the departure of Darren Anslow. Goodman will be assisted by first team coach James Marrs.
There will be a familiar face in the away dug out. Keith McMahon was in the manager’s hot seat at Phoenix until leaving in early October 2024. He took the manager’s job at Corinthian at the start of this season.
McMahon’s Hoops’ one league win so far this season was away to Stansfeld at the start of September. However, they are enjoying their FA Vase run having beaten Horley Town and Reigate Priory. They will host Staines & Lammas (Middlesex) in the third round. Their last league game was less enjoyable, though, when they lost four-nil at Snodland Town.
In the three games that Goodman served as interim manager, they won two and drew once. Like Corinthian, they have progressed in the Vase by beating Sporting Bengal United. Then, in the league they drew at Punjab United before beating Hythe Town four-one.
Lyle Della-Verde opened the scoring midway through the first half before Goodman and Jerson Dos Santos scored twice in two minutes in the second period. Although Robbie Keil pulled one back with fifteen minutes remaining, Tyler Anderson added a fourth to seal the points.
This match is the opener for the SCEFL Groundhop 2025 weekend (hence the Friday evening game) and Phoenix plan to pull out all the stops to make this a big occasion.
As well as their main bar, there will be an additional outside bar, a food truck selling pizza to supplement their regular burger counter, and live music. There will also be printed programmes to appease the groundhoppers, and a large crowd is anticipated.
Picture supplied by Dave Budden.