Phoenix offence finally ignites at the Dome

Manchester Phoenix 1-4 Sheffield Steeldogs
Manchester Phoenix 9-5 Telford Tigers

Sniper Martin Cingel fired in a hat-trick to lead Manchester Phoenix to a convincing win over Telford Tigers on Saturday night.

Phoenix, who have suffered at home recently, have already been beaten by the Tigers this season in a penalty shoot-out but they looked to have finally found their scoring touch at home whilst wearing special Children in Need jerseys.

Further goals from Ladislav Harabin (2), James Archer, Ben Wood, Ciaran Long and Tom Duggan helped Phoenix on their way to their first home win in three games.

Player-coach Tony Hand said “It was a good performance by the team tonight and nice to see a lot of the lads get among the goals.

“Telford are a hard working side but I felt we definitely had the upper hand tonight and deserved the points.”

If was a different story on Thursday night however when they went down 4-1 against Sheffield with ex-Phoenix centre Greg Wood coming back to haunt his old team with a pair of goals.

Phoenix failed to capitalise on multiple chances whilst Sheffield were clinical when they needed to be in a game that highlighted again the reigning champions’ inability to find consistency.

Ladislav Harabin netted Phoenix’s only goal of the game on a 5 on 3 power-play late in the second period but pairs of goals from Wood and Janis Ozolins was enough to see the Yorkshire side take their first ever win over Phoenix.