Starting line-up:
4-2-3-1. 20.Spoonley - 6.Brindell-South, 4.Adams, 5.Boxall, 12.Gulley - 2.Muscat, 13.Bertsch - 7.Bertos, 19.Watson, 9.Cunningham - 10.Huysegems
Lia, Boyd and Italiano (on crutches) not kitted up. No sign of Hernandez.
Phoenix looked all right in the first half but didn't create many chances in the opening 20, but held possession ok. CF Selection looked a little bit like they hadn't played together before (which they hadn't) but got better as the game wore on. Brindell-South looked pretty good down the left - I thought his first touch let him down a bit but once he got hold of it he had nifty feet. Obviously a little bit affected by being a right footer on the left but I liked the look of him. Didn't think Gulley was as good on the right, especially defensively, but he was on the far side from me (I think he gave away the peno?).
Bertsch was busy in the middle and Watson tried to get involved as well. It looked like we were trying to walk it in at times - trying to play quite intricately around the box, when you though a crack at goal might be worth it. So I think that's encouraging we're trying to get the close tight play going.
Huseygems definitely favours his left but it's pretty tidy so can understand why and Bertos was involved in some good moves - he definitely looks better with the freedom of being in the front third. Cunningham was on far side and looked quick but I remember Abba getting back a few times to give him grief. Definitely can take on players and get in behind though.
CF Selection keeper made a couple of cracking saves from Bertos, Watson and Huysegems I think.
Muscat was pretty bad throughout - gave away the ball a bit through bad passes or control. I love Muscat but I really don't think he's the answer in there. Would love to see him back at Right Back, bombing forward and combining with Ifill/Cunningham.
Second half was:
20.Spoonley (30.McPeake 60mins) - 3.Caira, 18.Sigmund, 22.Durante, 12.Gulley (16.Fenton 60mins) - 2. Muscat, 14.Rufer - 8.Ifill, 10.Huysegems, 9.Cunningham (23. Stevens? 60 mins) - 11. Brockie
Caira tried to bomb forward (again on far side so couldn't see much) - Fenton got forward a lot and whipped in a few nice crosses. Rufer played some gorgeous cross-field balls and wasn't afraid to mix it physically
Definitely played with 10 for last 15 minutes after Ifill came off - looked pretty precautionary to me.
Interestingly I thought Huysegems and Brockie combined well so could definitely see them playing together in season. Huysegems nice work down the left for the first goal.
It was Muscat and Peverley in the initial scuffle but Sigmund was there pretty quick to hold Peverley down on the ground. Probably not the smartest thing to do, but no harm down. Peverley immitated an elbow when he got up - to me it looked like Muscat and Peverley muscling, holding each other - Peverley pulled Muscat to ground, then Muscat may have pushed forearm into Peverley's chest. No harm doe though really.
Herbert was there watching.