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Telford vs Phoenix women

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Sunday 3rd November saw the Manchester Phoenix Women's team take to the ice for their first ever league match, taking on the Telford Wreckin Raiders.

The squad have been together for about 7-8 months, with a varying range of players, from complete novices to veteran players. With some girls never having played a game before, a few older players having been away from games for a few years, it was a venture into the unknown for the club.

The first period couldn’t have gone much better, with Phoenix opening he scoring just under 4 minutes in to the period, with Captain Charlene Chapman getting he first ever Phoenix goal, one for the record books there! Both teams piled on the pressure, but net minder Stephanie Drinkwater stood strong, and with the defence clearing up any rebounds and traffic in front of the net, Telford where held scoreless in the first period. 2 more goals for Phoenix from Lucy Kirkham & Katie Hills wrapped up a good 3-0 lead!

The second period saw Telford come out quick and strong, determined to prove Phoenix wouldn’t have it all their own way and hit the back of the net just over two and a half minutes into the period! Both teams trading chances...breakaways, slick passing moves... but as one team scored, the other replied...and Telford took the period, with Phoenix holding a slight lead at the end of 2, 6-5! Both teams knew it was there for the taking!

The third period, unfortunately for Phoenix, went to Telford, who notched 3 goals, with tiredness and inexperience showing a little with the Phoenix, Telford capitalised. Phoenix never gave up, but just couldn’t beat the goalie or the posts to answer back! The period ended 2 minutes early as Phoenix player Amanda Williams suffered a freak injury and had to be taken to hospital; thankfully Amanda is ok and was released from hospital.

So despite a defeat, there where some real signs of encouragement for the future, some of the new players gained valuable experience, everyone got a good, tough game under their belts and with a little tinkering here and there, no doubt the Phoenix will be an entertaining team to watch in the future!

So keep an eye on the Facebook page & Twitter accounts to keep up to date with what’s going on with the team, and if you want to know more email womenshockey@manchesterphoenix.co.uk for more information.