Phoenix Under-16's thrash Newcastle

Sunday, 16th September 2007

Phoenix U-16s' 9 - 1 Vipers U-16s'

Manchester Phoenix U-16 squad reaped a heavy revenge on their Geordie counterparts for the Under-14's loss that preceded this demolition job.

Newly promoted to the A league, Phoenix took just thirteen seconds to open their account, with captain Tom Hammond converting a pass from Ryan Pike. A minute later Manchester extended their lead, stunning their visitors with an unassisted powerplay strike from new signing Marc Etherington. The last time Phoenix had met Newcastle was in a pre-season challenge a year ago. It was the first game the Phoenix junior team had ever played and they were defeated comprehensively. How things can change in twelve months. The speed and positional play of the Phoenix squad clearly took the Vipers by surprise and the visitors seemed to have no answer to the early onslaught. Just past the twelve minute mark, Tom Hammond bagged his second and moments later Alex Pugh buried a Ben Brown pass to notch number four, firing the home side into a commanding lead at the first break.

Phoenix allowed the visitors more of the puck in the second period, but never looked in serious danger of surrendering their advantage. Adam Grisdale continued to deny Newcastle between the pipes, while his defence effectively kept the Vipers' forwards at bay. The middle of the period saw a blur of activity with no less than four goals in a heady two-minute spell. With Phoenix pressurising, the puck was fed back to Oli Bayne and his terrific slapshot through traffic beat Viper's goalie Mark Watson to find the right hand corner of the net. Directly from the re-start, Phoenix made it six, with Alex Pugh turning provider for Josh Healey to score his first of the campaign. At the other end, the Vipers notched up a consolation goal through James Moss, but their relief was short-lived as, seconds later, Phoenix' Ryan Pike posted number seven.

Manchester's Bob Browne took over in net for a final period strewn with Newcastle penalties and the home side heavily outshot their beleaguered guests. Harry Sims and Alfie Olinski provided the approach work for Joe Greaves to fire home a fine shot at 34'06". Greaves returned the favour seven minutes later, setting up Olinski to complete the rout.

With a confidence boosting opening victory under their belts the Phoenix Under-16A squad can now prepare for back-to-back away fixtures at Flintshire and Sheffield.

Period Scores: 4-0, 3-1, 2-0.

Penalty Minutes: Phoenix 26, Vipers 62

Shots on goal:
on Phoenix - Adam Grisdale 13, on Bob Brown 6.
on Vipers - Mark Watson17, on Patrick Bell 13.

Phoenix Scoring: Ben Brown 0+1; Harry Sims 0+1; Oliver Bayne 1+0, Mark Etherington 1+0; Alex Pugh 1+1; Josh Healey 1+1; Alfie Olinski 1+1; Ryan Pike 1+2; Joe Greaves 1+2, Tom Hammond 2+1.

Men of the Match: Manchester - Ben Brown; Newcastle - Ashleigh Holland

Phoenix Under-16's thrash Newcastle

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