Four goal Walker see's his half century

Manchester Phoenix 10-1 Bracknell Bees

Manchester Phoenix forward Adam Walker bagged himself six goals last weekend which took his season total to 50 and lifted his team past the Bracknell Bees.

Walker, netted twice in the away defeat to Swindon on Saturday before smashing four past Bracknell the following night as Phoenix secured a third place finish in the league.

Goals from Iain Bowie, Jaakko Hagelberg and two from Walker set Phoenix on their way in the first period before Ashley Calvert scored for the Bees early in the middle session. Further goals from Stephen Wallace, Tony Hand and Walker left Phoenix leading 7-1 at the second break.

In the third period, Andre Mattsson scored from close range before Walker bagged his 50th goal of the season in the 54th minute. Andre Payette put the home side into double figures in the final minutes.

Coach Tony Hand said: “I am delighted for Adam Walker that he reached the fifty goal mark, it’s a tribute to the effort he’s put in after a slow start to the season.

“If we’d been offered a third place finish in September, I think we’d have taken that and now on the back of this result, we can look forward to the playoffs.”

Phoenix will now play Peterborough Phantoms in the first round of the playoffs next weekend, the second leg will be at home on Sunday at the Ice Dome.