Manchester Phoenix unbeaten in six after another four point weekend

By Steven Oldham, Sports Correspondent

Reigning EPL champions Manchester Phoenix won their sixth successive game yesterday after dispatching of bottom club Telford Tigers 8-5. 

Martin Cingel, Juraj Faith and Phoenix man of the match Jaroslav Spelda all hit two goals each with Stephen Wallace and Ciaran Long weighing in with a goal each. 

The Altrincham based team had gained a measure of revenge over Slough Jets a day earlier, beating them 4-2.  Jets had thrashed Phoenix 9-0 in their last meeting. 

Speaking after the Slough victory, coach Tony Hand said: I thought the guys played very well and thoroughly deserved the win.” 

Long, Faith and Spelda also scored on Saturday evening with Ryan Johnson contributing a rare goal – Phoenix’s third of the match.

Netminder Stephen Fone won the man of the match accolade against Slough after an assured game at the back.

Acknowledging his performance, Hand said: “Stephen Fone kept us in the game in the first ten minutes.”

Despite the good run, Phoenix still do not have a 100% fully fit squad.  In a season ravaged by injuries, they are still without long term injury victim Hand, Tom Duggan and reserve netminder Jorge El Hage. 

Phoenix must wish they could play Telford every week – last time out they went one better, winning 9-5 – meaning a colossal 17 goals scored in just two games against the same opposition. 

This string of wins sees Phoenix in fourth place in the EPL table  on 38 points, just six points behind leaders Guildford Flames. 

Before this weekend, Phoenix have seen off Bracknell Bees, Milton Keynes Lighting (twice) and arch-rivals Sheffield Steeldogs in successive games.

This weekend sees Phoenix travel south to play Basingstoke Bison on Saturday, and at the Ice Dome on Sunday it’s better the devil you know as they host Lightning – the third time the teams have met in under a month. 

Face off is 5.30 as usual, with tickets available on the door or via www.manchesterphoenix.co.uk