Proud Baggies FC fell to a 2-0 defeat against a determined Eastend Phoenix ‘Leviathans’ side this afternoon, with the fixture played at the historic Memorial Park - the former home of Thames Ironworks aka West Ham United.

PBFC had the first big chance of the match, with forward Ash Hill blazing over the bar with an early effort. The game was fairly end-to-end, with neither side keen to get the ball down in midfield, but chances were few and far between save for a (hopeful) overhead effort from midfielder Andy Bishop.

Eastend took the lead mid-way through the first half as a defensive mix-up allowed the hosts a simple finish at the backpost, but the Baggies kept at it and flashed a couple of chances across goal to no avail before the half drew to an end.

The second half saw more of the same, though the Leviathans’ fitness began to show and players began to run harder at the Baggies backline as the game went on. A great 1-2 down the left wing saw Eastend break the lines and get through for a 1v1 with keeper Adam Ray, though the subsequent goal was ruled out for offside. Phoenix would soon restore that two-goal cushion though with a belter effort from the right flank that soared into the far corner of the net.

PBFC kept working to get on the score sheet, with the likes of Piero Zizzi, Jamie Brennan, Ash Hill and Andy Bishop all testing the Eastend keeper, but the shot-stopper was imperious in net and kept the Baggies at bay.

Speaking after the result, full back Liam Sheasby said:“Congratulations to Eastend Phoenix. They’re a good club and the Leviathans were tough opposition today. They’re London Development League Champions 2025/26 and their first team are into the London Unity League Plate Final next weekend. You can see the club ethos in how they play - they’re well organised, well coordinated, and work hard for each other. These are the fundamentals that make success more likely.

“Nobody likes losing, and to come away without a goal is frustrating given we had chances, but there were positives. On another day we score these chances, but I thought in possession we looked the more comfortable of the two sides. I also thought we defended well as a collective. Mistakes happen, and did, but they happened for both sides. We kept a sharp offside trap, we marked well, and the defence was well supported by the rest of the team tracking back. That commitment matters, and is why both sides got to this final.

“Ultimately we’re a side that has existed for a little over two years, we’ve been without a coach for a short while, and we actually field a mixed gender team - something very few queer teams we’ve faced do. To have won silverware previously and to be competing today shows the potential of the PBFC project. If we can keep working hard to improve, I have no doubt we’ll be celebrating another trophy sooner rather than later.”

Starting XI (4-3-3): Ray (GK) | Sheasby, Tatlock, Hogan (C), Krawczyk | Malinowska, Shepherd, Bishop | Brennan, P.Zizzi, Hill
Subs: S.Zizzi, Smith, Dennis, Naylor, Heeley.

POTM: Kasia Krawczyk

Proud Baggies FC will be back in action on Saturday June 6, taking part in the GFSN Summer Tournament in Manchester; a 5-a-side contest in Ardwick hosted by Village Manchester FC. Players and spectators are invited to attend the launch party on the evening of Friday June 5, as well as Saturday’s after-party.

Defeat in the capital

Join us for Birmingham Pride 2026!