Flintshire Flyers U-12 v Manchester Phoenix U-12

Wednesday, 20th January 2010

The Phoenix Under-12 squad made the relatively short trip to the Deeside Leisure Centre to take on the Flintshire Flyers and any early confidence was shattered as the home side romped into a two-goal lead by the four minute mark - Openshaw assisted by Kennedy after 65 seconds and then Kennedy assisted by Clarkson for the second. Phoenix didn't panic and gradually began their fightback. Billy Brewer set up Max Howard in the eighth minute and by the 11th, the visitors were level as Sophie Reeks carved out the opening for Joshua Hartsorn to crash home the equaliser.

Phoenix had finished the first period the stronger and they carried that momentum into the second session as they took the lead two and half minutes in thanks to a superb solo effort from Sophie Reeks. And they needed just another 14 seconds for James Soens to set-up Michael Sergienko for the first of his brace of markers. The Flyers were visibly rattled and only some slightly fussy officiating that saw a rash of penalties against both teams prevented the Phoenix from adding to their lead before the second break.

The second interval definitely favoured the home side as they used the time well to re-organise and plan their fightback. Phoenix had to work hard to kill off another penalty, but were unable to prevent Kennedy from bagging his second goal of the game in the 38th minute. Two minutes later and Phoenix looked to have re-established a game-winning margin as Reagan Corbin fed Sergienko and he netted for 3-5 with less than six minutes to play. The Flyers didn't panic and with the clock hitting the four-minute mark, Kennedy ominously completed his hat-trick to make it a one-goal game. Inside the final minute and a penalty against Sergienko gave the home side a late, late powerplay and you guessed it, that man Kennedy was on hand to net an unassisted powerplay equaliser with just two seconds left.

A Phoenix official remarked, "the game went one way, then the other and the team were very disappointed to have victory snatched from them so late in the game. It was another good performance though and great entertainment for the noisy crowd."

Game stats

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

Total PiM: 6-10

Phoenix Stats: Michael Sergienko 2+0; Sophie Reeks 1+1; Joshua Hartsorn 1+0; Max Howard 1+0; James Soens 0+1; Billy Brewer 0+1; Reagan Corbin 0+1

Goalie Stats – Joe Murphy 5/42

Flintshire Flyers U-12 v Manchester Phoenix U-12

Game stats

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