Published: 15 December, 2011
by STEVE BARNETT

Phoenix rose to the challenge to come back from behind four times to make it into the fourth round.

The prestigious London Football Association competition pitted the Camden Sunday League champions against high-flying Metropolitan Sunday League outfit Golden Eagles in Beckenham.

The home side surged into a two goal lead early on and though Lewis Laws pulled a goal back, Phoenix were 3-1 behind at half-time.

Manager Dave Harber rang the changes at the break and he was rewarded as a 30-yard thunderbolt from Charlie Kanaris and solo effort from Anthony Clarke made it 3-3.

Eagles thought they had landed a place in the next round a minute from time when they hit a fourth, but Clarke had other ideas and belted home the equaliser in injury time.

Keeper Daniel Lewens kept Phoenix in the game with a string of fine saves in extra time and when penalties beckoned, Gio Falzone, Robert O’Brien and Clarke kept their nerve from the spot to win it for the CSL side.

“They never lay down and put every ounce into the game,” said boss Harber later. “We stuck to our guns and the boys were marvellous.”