Manchester Phoenix 6-2 Billingham Stars

Billingham Stars 1-6 Manchester Phoenix

TONY Hand’s Manchester Phoenix returned to winning ways last weekend with a cup double over Billingham Stars.

Phoenix, who lost to Sheffield 3-2 in overtime last Thursday, took a break from league action at the weekend with a double header against NIHL side Billingham in the Challenge Cup.

But with Manchester limited to just two imports, matching NIHL rules, and injuries to James Archer and Jacob Heron, Phoenix were limited in their options prior to the weekend’s tricky cup games.

But with four Under 18’s drafted in from the Phoenix junior system filling the gaps, Manchester secured back to back wins over a tough Billingham side.

Bobby Chamberlain opened the scoring inside a minute on Saturday, but Billingham fought back with a scrappy finish past Phoenix netminder Declan Ryan.

Shaun Thompson put Phoenix back in front with a rebound goal before netting the home sides third with a back post finish off a Robin Kovar pass. But before the break, Billingham reduced the deficit to one with a Chris Sykes strike.

Second period goals from Adam Walker (2) and Jack Watkins put the home side out of sight to secure the win and there was no further scoring in an uneventful final period.

On Sunday, the script stayed the same with the EPL champions proving too much for the Stars to handle.

Goals from Michal Psurny (2), Ben Wood, Chamberlain, Walker and Thompson sealing a double winning weekend for Phoenix

Player coach Tony Hand said on the weekends games: “It has been a good weekend for us. Every point in the cup group is going to be vital and I thought the boys did a professional job.

“The guys that came into the team for the game all did well and played their part in the win. Stars gave us a couple of challenging games and we needed to stay focussed on the job in hand. All credit to Billingham and their organisation for their hospitality tonight.”