Cliffhanger on Humberside at Phoenix Under-14s' gain first win of the season !!!

Monday, 28th January 2008

Kingston 5 - 6 Phoenix U-14s

Manchester Phoenix Under-14 squad finally got the monkey off their back on Sunday as they gained their first win of the season in a classic encounter of epic proportions on Humberside against a talented and hard-working Kingston squad.

Manchester Phoenix Under-14 squad had an early start on Sunday as they crossed the Pennines to Humberside for a match-up against their Kingston opponents at the early face-off time of 12.30pm. The team were in determined mood having put last weekends disappointment out of their minds and they got off to a blistering start. Right from the opening drop of the puck, Scott Robson found super-sniper Jared Dickinson and he blasted home the opening goal of the game with just eight seconds have ticked off the clock. And Phoenix doubled their lead in the sixth minute as former Kingston player Robson scored a fine unassisted individual effort. The home side, shocked by the flying Phoenix start, picked up the pace and took the remainder of the period to the Phoenix drawing level before the first interval.

Kingston start the second period much the stronger and Phoenix were forced into some desperate defensive work to keep them at bay. An Elbowing penalty on Kingston captain Derek Balmer was just the respite Phoenix needed and they duly capitialised on the powerplay as the ever-alert Jared Dickinson pounced on a loose puck to score his second of the game at 17.45. Kingston refused to let this unsettle them and they came roaring back to again draw level to send the teams to the second interval tied at 3-3.

All the Phoenix good work looked to have been in vain early in the third period as England Under-13 propsect Bobby Chamberlain bagged his second of the game for Kingston to give them their first lead of the game in the 34th minute. As Kingston had responded earlier, so too now did the Phoenix as they forced themselves onto the attack and Robson crashed home his second of the game to again tie the score. Phoenix were now rejuvenated and boosted by almost maniacal support, they pushed forward for the go-ahead goal. Cometh the moment, cometh the man and England starlet Jared Dickinson brought the travelling support to their feet with a magnificent two-goal salvo in the space of just 15 seconds in the 39th minute to give the Phoenix their second two-goal lead of the game. However Kingston weren't finished and their fifth marker looked to set up a nail-biting finish. Phoenix coach Greg Allen cleverly used his Timeout to calm the nerves and issue some defensive words of wisdom, and his charges responded by holding on the remaining minutes to secure a terrific first win of the season against stiff and obstinate opposition.

Phoenix Stats: Jared Dickinson 4+0, Scott Robson 2+2
Phoenix MVP: Callum Greenhalgh

A Phoenix spokesperson enthused, "whilst Jared and Scott will grab the headlines with their goals, this was a true team performance of grit and determination right throughout the squad. They've worked hard for this all season long and been close on a couple of occasions. To finally break the duck is a massive releief to everyone around the team and I'm sure they'll play with a little more confidence from this point on. Ironically, our next home is this coming Saturday when Kingston come to Altrincham for a 4.30pm face-off."

Cliffhanger on Humberside at Phoenix Under-14s' gain first win of the season !!!

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