Phoenix Juniors keep promotion pressure on

Saturday, 21st April 2007

Phoenix U-14s 9 – 0 Grimsby Vikings
Phoenix U-16s 3 – 1 Grimsby Dynamoes

Both the Manchester Phoenix Junior squads in action on Saturday needed wins and they went out and did just that to keep them both in the hunt for promotion.

The Under-14 squad took their time to get to grips with their East Coast rivals, taking almost ten minutes to open the scoring. But having scored the opening goal, they rattled in three more before the first interval to give themselves a healthy cushion. Grimsby, despite being a physically bigger side, were no match for the smoother skating and slicker passing Phoenix youngsters and it wasn’t long before the scoreboard began to tick over again. Phoenix duly completed a comfortable clean sheet victory to set them up for Sundays’ home game against Mercian from Coventry.

The Under-16 squad took to the ice knowing that only a win would keep them on track for a promotion spot, and hoping that Solihull could gain an unexpected road win in Billingham.

A scoreless first period saw Phoenix dominate the play and the scoring chances, but Dynamoes goalie Graham Russell was proving hard to beat. Phoenix eventually opened their account with a scrappy goalmouth finish from Alex Pugh in the 28th minute – the only score of the second period. Grimsby were restricted to rare counter-attacks and Phoenix netminder Adam Grisdale needed to be alert on a couple of occasions to stave off a shock equaliser.

Phoenix’s greater bench depth and determination finally came good in the final period as Harry Sims and Mike Hoskins gave them a three-goal margin. The only disappointments from the game were Grisdale being denied a shutout by a nice consolation goal from Dynamoes Gareth Beecham and Phoenix forward Joe Greaves receiving a Match penalty for Fighting that will see him miss Sunday’s home game against Bradford.

Phoenix Juniors keep promotion pressure on

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