A very busy show this week, with reports on four football matches.
Jaden Christy was at Brisbane Road, where Leyton Orient suffered another defeat in Sky Bet League One as visitors Birmingham City ran out 2-1 winners, Bailey Howard – doing his first reports for Phoenix Sport – saw Hornchurch slip to a 2-1 defeat at Slough Town in the National League South, Jack Patmore travelled to Cheshunt where Billericay Town drew 1-1 with the hosts in the Isthmian Premier League and Andy Gardener watched Brentwood Town beat Walthamstow 3-2 in the Isthmian North.
A familiar sight in the Premier League, as Manchester City top the table after two matches following a 4-1 home win against newly-promoted Ipswich Town.
The Suffolk side took a shock seventh minute lead through Sammie Smodzics on his first start for Kieran McKenna’s men since arriving from Blackburn Rovers, but goals from Erling Haaland – who scored a hat-trick – and Kevin De Bruyne gave Pep Guardiola’s side all three points.
And West Ham United secured their first win under Julen Lopetegui, as second half goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen gave them a 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace.
In cricket, a half-century from Joe Root helped England to a test victory against Sri Lanka on day four at Old Trafford, whilst third-placed Essex were on their way to a draw against Hampshire at Southampton.
Local cricket fell victim to the wet weather though, with all fixtures in the Essex League being abandoned or cancelled.
Phoenix Sport
John Chubb
