Manchester Phoenix 2-3 Telford Tigers (After Overtime)

TONYHand’s battling Manchester Phoenix went down in overtime to current English Premier League leaders Telford Tigers in a pulsating encounter on Sunday.

Phoenix, who demolished Solway Sharks 11-0 in the Challenge Cup on Saturday night, lost their fourth home game of five so far this season in league action and have endured an average start to their title defending season.

But in spite of the result, the performance from Tony Hands was much improved as they matched the much favoured Tigers all the way and arguably should of won the game with some dominating spells in the first 40 minutes of action.

Phoenix deservedly took the lead through Adam Walker in the first period with only Tigers netminder Tom Murdy preventing the home side from scoring more.

The second period was a more even affair with both goalies making key saves keeping the scorers off the board, Manchester netminder Steve Fone in particular sparkled with some fine stops to deny the Tigers attack that earned him the post game Man of the Match award.

But finally his defences were breached just after the mid way point of the game as Tigers captain Jason Silverthorn scored on Fone’s short side from a tight angle levelling the game.

Phoenix however, dug in, and restored their one goal lead before the break with a rocket goal from Frantisek Bakrlik in the final minute of the period.

Once again though the Tigers responded with another strike from Silverthorn, and as they slowly began to take a foothold in the tie, Phoenix began to tire against the bigger squad of Telford.

As the game went into overtime, a costly turnover from the home side set up Silverthorn to complete his hat trick and net the game winner in the final minute to secure the extra point.

Hand said after the game: “I thought we played our best game of the season and dominated two thirds of the game. Murdy in goal kept them in the game and we had enough chances to get a good lead. Stephen Fone was as good in the third period.

“Telford are a good side and we showed we are as good and with a bit of luck we would have got that all important lead. To lose so in the manner we did so late in the game is disappointing but all credit to Telford for sticking to their task.”