Bright start to Phoenix season
South West Phoenix scored three late goals and twice came from behind to start their State League season with a 4-2 home win against UWA-Nedlands.
Ryan Francis struck first and last for Phoenix, sandwiched in between goals from Ryan Stewart and Josh Harvey.
Phoenix began the match strongly and had several chances to score in the opening minutes.
A UWA-Nedlands counterattack saw them split the Phoenix defence and take the lead just before the break.
Phoenix coach Trent Hathaway said he remained confident they could win the match.
"I thought we were the better side throughout the whole game," he said.
"In the first half we switched off mentally and physically for 30 seconds and they took their chance.
"I told the boys we were going to get goals as we were playing better than them."
Francis scored a stunner early in the second half, curling a left-footed shot into the top corner of the net but parity was quickly lost as UWA-Nedlands again got in behind the defence and eventually tucked the ball home.
As the match wound down, three goals in about 10 minutes turned the score around and gave Phoenix the three points.
Stewart equalised, Harvey produced a bullet header from a corner to give Phoenix the lead and Francis finished off an excellent team move as the visitors were stung.
Hathaway and assistant coach Mark Osmond believed the two goals they conceded were momentary lapses in defensive concentration rather than a major concern.
Phoenix have their shortest road trip on Saturday as they play Mandurah City, a club tipped to figure towards the top of this year's ladder and who beat Swan United 6-1 on the weekend.
