Peter Brads SPORTS Blog: March 2013

Sunday 31 March 2013

CITY FINALLY SHOW CHAMPIONS CLASS TO SEE OFF NEWCASTLE

MANCHESTER CITY 4-0 NEWCASTLE UNITED

Manchester City showed what they are capable of doing as they thrashed Newcastle United 4-0 putting in a champions performance on at the Etihad stadium. City was looking to take some form into the Manchester Derby a week on Monday at old Trafford. And the recent form has been mixed if anything in the last few league games with defeats against Chelsea and a not very convincing win at Aston Villa, But have lost to Everton 2-0, drew 2-2 with Liverpool and also had that nightmare at St.Marys going down 3-1 where it was labelled the worst performance by Mancini men since he came to the club 3 seasons ago. A view shared by the Italian manager at City.

City before kickoff found themselves 18 points behind league leader Manchester United after their victory up in Wearside against Sunderland. So City was concentrating on keeping hold of second place in the table as their title challenge hopes for this season anyway ended a while ago, But have to make sure they finish in the top 3 places to avoid having to play a qualifying round for the champions league next season. Newcastle was the visitors to the Etihad and their form has been hit and misses since the January transfer but has done well in the Europa league but has struggled in the league over recent weeks.

City made 5 changes from the last game when they lost to Everton 2-0 before the International break, With Mancini picking the Championship winning back 4 with Joelon Lescott, Gael Clichy and the return after 2 months of Club Captain Vincent Kompany back from injury all returning to the side alongside City player of the season so far Pablo Zabeleta. Sami Nasri and Yaya Toure also returned to the fold and the starting eleven for City put a Championship winning display against Newcastle.

City dominated play early on as Newcastle were playing quite defensively game but for all the possession they had the home side just couldn`t make room for a shot or was trying to walk the ball in at times. The City midfield took complete control as Silva and Nasri was making inroads on the Visitors making gaps and finding good passes, Gareth Barry and Yaya Toure were equally as effective providing the cover just in front of the defence. City hadn`t troubled the away side in the shooting ranks in the first part of the first half, Closest chance they had was when Nasri came under pressure by 2 Newcastle defenders and no support he managed to wriggle out of it and play a good cross into the penalty area which Dzeko had a shot saved by Elliott and as the ball fell to Barry he somehow managed to strike the ball miles over the bar.

City had a free kick by Carlos Tevez which when over the bar and the referee was having a long chat to the Newcastle keeper Rob Elliott who was taking a lot of time to take dead balls. Edin Dzeko had a header that when wide of the goals from a Sami Nasri corner. Zabeleta then had a volley goes to the right as he couldn`t quite connect on it as well as he wanted to. The home side thought they had took the lead in the 38th minute when a ball was played into the penalty area and Zabaleta run to the ball as well as David Silva, Silva poked it home just ahead of the Argentinean defender but was flagged offside as Silva started in a offside position.

However for the Blues it didn`t take very long for the first goal of the game, as a Gael Clichy run down the wing and great cross into the danger area was put in by a sliding Carlos Tevez from six yards as he went sliding with a Newcastle defender in the 40th minute. This looked a different City side than the one seen all season, was a more focused and determined side than they have been all season and so wasn`t a shock when they extended their advantage, as a Sami Nasri pass to Silva was in between his feet got control of the ball and coolly slotted home passed Elliott for a 2-0 lead and brought an end to the first half.

Second half Newcastle came out strong in the early stages as they looked to try and catch them early, City were asleep for the opening 5 minutes as Newcastle enjoyed a purple patch of possession and good play. Danny Simpson put a cross into the box and Zabeleta cleared away and Newcastle were had a great chance to cut the lead in half when Yohan Cabaye had an effort and went just passed the post and the alarm bells were ringing out in the City team to wake up from the slow start they had made so far. Cabaye had another effort but that over the bar.

But the killer goal when in for home side as their first attack in the half produced a corner and from that resulting corner the ball was partially cleared away, Only as far Gareth Barry and his hit goal wards found Captain Vincent Kompany who with a little flick of the heel scored to make it 3-0 and City were in cruise control now and the goal seemed to break the Geordies spirit as they looked downtrodden after that goal. City looked fantastic from then on and played with fluidity and pace much like last season when they were crushing teams at home.

Cisse was causing a few problems within the City side as he was turning them inside and out at side as they could tackle him, but then a cheer went up as when the ball was played towards him he stood on the ball and fell to the ground bring a loud cheer and laughter at the incident. Kompany nearly got his second goal as another corner came in from Silva and the Belgian international could only just head over the bar. The Blues kept the great play going and Dzeko was like a new player second half as he was holding players off wriggling away from tackles and making good passes he was one of many players that were having a great game for the home team. In the 68th minute the score was 4-0 as a Yanga-Mbiwa clearance from Nasri cross came to the big Ivorian and he ran at the defenders beating 3 of them into the penalty area and shot at goal getting a little nick off James Perch studs which just caught out Elliott as he all he could do was palm it in the goals as the little touch took it away from him.

Kompany went off to a standing ovation from the home fans as he had good steady game at the heart of the blues defence alongside Lescott, There was gasp of horror from city fans when Silva seemed to go down on his own clutching his knee when trying to block a ball, Newcastle played on and a shot coming in by Dan Gosling went into the hands of Joe Hart as he comfortably save it as it rolled to him. City made their second substitution when Silva was brought off hoping his injury wasn`t bad and with an eye on the Manchester Derby next week. Scott Sinclair came on for the Spaniard and one of his first touches nearly produced a good finish, the winger picked up the ball outside the area quickly turned and had a curling shot looking to go in far corner but Elliott made a fantastic save to get a hand to it and turn it away.

The game was being played a friendly pace then as both teams when through the motions as was winding down to the final whistle, final whistle went and City reduce the massive gap on their neighbours and now have a chance to try and gain 3 points more on their cross city rivals a week on Monday in the Derby.

Mancini will hope his troop will have the same effort and desire for that clash as they did in this game , as if they play on this form then it won`t be the one sided affair that everyone expects at Old Trafford.

Friday 29 March 2013

Aces lose Home opener to Wolves

BELLE VUE ACES 43 WOLVERHAMPTON WOLVES 47

It was a case of new riders, same result for Belle Vue Aces on Good Friday. As the Kirkmanshulme outfit had their season opener against their nearest rival geographically the Wolverhampton Wolves, Wolves have been tipped by many pundits to finish bottom of the league this season as their squad isn`t as heavy hitting or powerful as past sides to don the Black and gold at Monmore Green.

They still have very talented riders in the shape of Swedish superstar Freddie Lindgren and GB International Tai Woffinden amongst their ranks, Along with Polish rider Adam Skornicki the ex Ace has always had a tendency to have hot and cold meetings in his career. And along with the newly acquired asset from neighbours Coventry Bees in Ricky Wells they have some firepower among them. But even so the line-up Belle Vue had should have had enough to at least win the meeting in my opinion, as they are led by Slovenian International and GP star Matej Zagar and "Zorro" Magnus Zetterstrom. They have Rising British star Craig Cook and captain Ales Dryml who are very capable riders of scoring high points too; they also have in their ranks New German signing Kevin Wolbert and returnee Artur Mrockza who has struggled to find any points in their heartbreaking loss in a challenge match to the Birmingham Brummies last week losing 47-43.

So with a Good Friday bumper crowd in and the queue of cars trying to get in this was a chance for the Aces to show the crowd and newcomers to the sport that Belle Vue were going places in the league this year starting with Wolves. The start was delayed due to a massive crowd and crash on M6 towards Manchester so it was delayed by 30 minutes.

The teams came round on the parade lap to take the applause of the crowd as there were many that had travelled up from the Black Country to see their side try and gain early points in the league. The sun was beating down on the track and mixed with Wind made the track very dry and dusty as normal, but no blame attached to the track men who tend to it by watering the track and grading it making it look fantastic compared to the last match at Belle Vue where a massive hole turned up between the 1st & 2nd bend. The maintenance work on it was great by the track staff, so riders prepared to come on track the Yellow light flashed to signal the traditional 2 minute warning for the riders to get to tapes ready for the first race.

After a lot of excitement to seeing the new Aces take to the track this season, the First heat saw the battle of the Grand Prix riders as Belle Vue Matej Zagar made his home debut with fellow debutant Kevin Wolbert as they faced the Wolves pair of GP rider Freddie Lindgren and Ty Proctor. The Wolves pairing gated and held onto a 5-1 Heat win to give Wolves a perfect start to the meeting.

The Aces hit back in heat 3 when Magnus Zetterstrom and Craig Cook both made the gate and they rode into the sun in more ways than one and scored a big maximum 5-1 heat advantage to draw the scores level at 9-9.

Heat 6 saw the Wolves regained the lead again as the Lindgren brothers got a 4-2 heat win as Older brother Freddie got the better of Matej Zagar and his brother Ludwig held third place holding off Kevin Wolbert to give Wolverhampton a 2 point advantage, that was increased to 4 points when American rider Ricky Wells capitalised on a mistake by Aces captain Ales Dryml who went to wide and allowed Wells to get round the Aces captain and win the heat. Belle Vue 2nd heat header Artur Mrockza was carrying on from his Nightmare in Birmingham as after he was gifted his point in Heat 4, the Polish rider looked slow under powered and plain awful trailing at the back and the score was 23-19 in favour of the guests after heat 7.

Belle Vue responded with 3 heat wins in a row as first off Wolbert made a rocket from the gate and his team mate Richie Worrall who has recently been signed as an Asset for the club this week helped his partner out as Wolbert took off and Worrall made sure he guided him round as he did great to lead them to a 5-1 heat win and equal the scores up at 24 apiece. The following heat number 9 saw Zorro & Craig Cook gate ahead of the Lindgren brothers and went onto hold position until a mistake by Cook let Freddie up the inside on bend 2, However Cook on his determination to regain 2nd place lost speed on the following lap and so settled for 3rd spot and the Aces took the lead for the first time in the whole meeting leading 28-26 after Heat 9.

Matej Zagar was improving as the meeting went on and in heat 10 the Slovenian made a great start but was caught up on 1st & 2nd bends by Wells and Skornicki, But he kept the throttle on just got the better of Wells and the next lap as the riders disappeared into a dust cloud Wolbert took Skornicki and gave the Aces a 32-28 lead, and the Home side looked to be taking the meeting away from the visitors. However heat 11 Wolves strong pairing of Tai Woffinden and Ty Proctor drawn scores level yet again as they beat the poorest Pairing for Belle Vue of Mrockza and Dryml by scoring a 5-1 to set up a tense final 4 set of races.

Heat 13 in many eyes as the heat got nearer was the killer heat for the Home side as neither of Aces riders were in form or looked likely to beat the on form pair of Woffinden and Freddie Lindgren so as predicted Artur Mrockza had the race of the meeting as he shot out from the tapes and never looked back as the Wolves pairing had no answer for the Pole who won it comfortably in the end leaving his opponents eating his dust, Sadly Zagar couldn`t repeat his previous heat performance and trailed off at the back. As Mrockza came round to take the applause of the home fans he punched the air in delight and was like he had won the world title with his celebrations.

Scores were still tied heading into the penultimate heat 14 as the score was 39 - 39, Cook missed the gate and Ales Dryml couldn`t catch Ludwig Lindgren as the Wolves took a 4-2 heat win and led by 2 going into the final race of the meeting. As Belle Vue needed a heat advantage to avoid losing the opening meeting anything else would result in a defeat so as the lines up were announced the riders made their way to the tapes. Wolves had the strongest pair out in Woffinden & Fredrik Lindgren and Aces team Manager chose Matej Zagar and Magnus Zetterstrom to be the riders to go out and win the meeting for the home side and kick-start that season.

Sadly The Aces didn`t manage to pull off a heat advantage as Zetterstrom was passed entering the 3rd lap by Woffinden who was fantastic all meeting for the away side, Wolverhampton took the final heat with a 4-2 and won the meeting 47-43 inflicting defeat and the Aces are still awaiting their first win of 2013 as they will need to sharpen up their gating skills by next Tuesday when the return is raced at Wolves Monmore Green Stadium in front of the Sky TV cameras.

Scorers:

BELLE VUE: Magnus Zetterstrom 13 , Richie Worrall 6+1 , Matej Zagar 6 , Ales Dryml 5+1 , Artur Mroczka 5+1 , Craig Cook 4+1 , Kevin Wolbert 4

WOLVES: Tai Woffinden 13+1 , Fredrik Lindgren 10+1 , Ludvig Lindgren 8+1 , Ricky Wells 7 , Ty Proctor 6+1 , Adam Skornicki 3 , Jacob Thorsell 0

Thursday 28 March 2013

SPEEDWAY TODAY viewed by a fan

Well it`s that time of year again as the British Elite League Speedway revs up for a new season as we head into the 16th Elite season since the formation of the Elite League from the old British League championship. This season has already come under controversy as it’s the first time there will be only 1 trophy up for grabs as Promoters ridiculously decided on scrapping the prestigious Knockout Cup as some sides weren`t bothered or thought it was waste of time, But the fans however see it as the Speedway s answer to the FA CUP.

The most passionate supporter of Speedway will tell you it`s going to be one the best seasons ever and exciting all this year and unmissable and all the other usual propaganda spewed out towards the masses and also towards the people who haven`t seen the sport to entice them into it and watch it at their local track and help their club out with the fans coming through the turnstiles. However if you’re a harden speedway fan and know the sport and how it is run and has been for many, many years then you know this season will be like any other season has been for the last 13 years or so.

The early days of the Elite League was thought of as the one of the best leagues in the world arguably the Best in the world back in 1997 at its beginnings, As the riders you had then were well known to the Speedway fanatics such as: Gary Havelock, Joe Screen, Jason Lyons, Sam Ermolenko, Mikael & Peter Karlsson, Ryan Sullivan, Martin Dugard, Chris Louis, Craig Boyce, Greg Hancock, Leigh Adams and Hans Nielsen. These were fantastic riders that were worth paying money to see then as the years went on younger riders that came up from the Premier league and from aboard made the Elite League so watchable. World championship riders from the Grand Prix coming to England to race with the likes of Tomasz Gollob, Tony Rickardsson, Jason Crump, Nicki Pedersen and British youngsters to in Scott Nicholls and the Late Lee Richardson as well.

Arguably the decline in top riders coming to the UK nowadays is that Poland pays big and I mean BIG MONEY for riders in their Extrasliga as riders get paid 3 or 4x more in Poland than they do in England and as there are 4 leagues in Europe in which a majority of the riders ride in all 4 of the leagues (Polish, Swedish, British and Danish leagues) riders now pick and choose whether they want to be jet setting around Europe for possibly 8 months in rare cases. Poland nowadays is considered the best league in the world due to having nearly EVERY Grand Prix rider in that league and get sell out crowds and is a kin to football as the fans are extremely passionate too there.

Sweden is looked at as the 2nd best as they have lot of the Grand Prix riders in their sides too as both Sweden and Poland have a 1 or 2 Foreign rider rule in place, Which means every side is allowed to have more than 2 foreign riders ( not being from Poland or Sweden ) in their sides. But teams have found way round it riding on a Polish or Swedish licence meaning they can cut corners, But the racing in both is fantastic. Denmark is the arguably 3rd or 4th choice league depending on your preference; they have very young sides in that league and not many riders from outside of Denmark. I`ll be honest it`s very hard to find places that show the Danish league but from clips from the internet the racing is good there too.

Britain is looked upon as a "has-been" league to the rest of the Europe, As what was once looked at as league to copy and follow in the footsteps of as these other leagues caught up and then re- invented themselves and turned their sides competitions and brand of speedway into must watch TV in their own countries. In the UK however the current board of speedway or BSPA (British speedway promoters association) lacks any forward thinking and is massively behind the times in ideas or promoting the sport and trying to bring it as close as they can back to its heyday like in the 70`s when places like Perry Barr at Birmingham, Plough Lane at Wimbledon, Blackbird road in Leicester and of course nearer to home the Legendary Hyde Road stadium at Belle Vue. These were all full up stadiums with riders entertaining the fans with great racing riders like: Peter Collins, Malcolm Simmonds, Chris Morton, Kenny Carter, Ole Olsen, Barry Briggs, Ivan Mauger, Dave Jessop, Ove Fundin, Erik Gundersen, Martin Ashby and Bruce Penhall.

Today British league still has riders that can captivate an audience but the league is very very stale and the powers that be have ruined the sport with certain decisions they`ve made along with promoters that have at times turned the matches you watch on sky television into their own mini reality show as they want to be on camera constantly. Compare our coverage to Polish and Swedish league, it`s all fluid and the commentators only go mad when a really truly fabulous pass happens and they are mainly reserved. Sky coverage the commentary side is appalling, 2 commentators shouting at the top of their voice as one makes a mistake and the other passes him weakly "FAN-TAS-TIC RIDE!!!!!" no it isn`t it`s a mistake capitalised on.

Week upon week we have the same terrible sayings thrown out every week, and the live games on TV you can guarantee who is on the most. The other 3 leagues have a variety of match ups and you never seen the same side 3 within weeks. British coverage is mainly Poole v Coventry, Coventry v Poole, Wolves v Coventry, Wolves v Poole always the same 3 sides on constantly and were forced to watch tracks where there is hardly any passing and SKY will talk it up and say great meeting again. And you have to shake your head in disbelief at some things. And of course they bring the old chestnut out when they venture to Manchester every time. "Overcast, gloomy, dull, rainy" or not used to sunshine in these parts! This coming from one presenter who is from Birmingham and statically gets more rain than Manchester.

And when Belle Vue was only match on due to Birmingham or Wolves called off for waterlogged tracks they came to Manchester when it was sunshine and had to have a dig at the only Northern club in the league passed the M6 "It`s not raining for once". These are supposed to be professional presenters yet they are as bad as the people who run the sport. As the BSPA who run the sport have been accused by many fans of not growing the sports but only looking after their clubs best interests as the 2 main leagues in Britain. Elite & Premier are run by 3 people each within their own leagues. Edinburgh Monarchs promoter is the head of the Premier league and they have won the title in recent years, and if that’s not coincidence the ELITE is run by Poole Pirates Promoter and they have won the title nearly every season since he took charge.

A lot of rules bend has gone on with manipulating the rules and riders getting certain treatment so they can move and also the riders have been accused of not trying hard enough so they can ride for certain teams the next season or get sacked and then move to the team they want to go the most. Why fans are driven away from the once proud sport to always replicating the scandal with the "Italian football scores" in 2006.

Fans have been crying out for ex riders or an independent body to come in and shake things up. But the current bunch that preside over this association said publicly "There was no need for chance as British speedway was doing in a great state"...yes a GREAT terrible state. Fans on the terraces I’ve spoke with have all no trust in the people who run the sport and call them certain names that isn`t broadcast able. But the fans are expected to thing everything is rosy and it certainly isn`t at all.

So we are currently watching a sport that in its current state dying a slow painful death with people who aren`t seeing the bigger picture, as there is no facilities or motivation for youngsters coming up to get involved in speedway and a National program that is massively behind the main speedway nations and with the rising newcomers from Russia gathering speed then Britain will soon find themselves falling to the way side. But as were told "the future in Britain is in great hands" whose hands are these as they not showing any signs of progression in youth development or international status. Great Britain has been thrashed in Under 21 tournaments and in Individual meetings they hardly score as they have no experience or people to guide them.

Changes for the best would be a Independent body to guard over dodgy ground and also limit the amount of Foreign riders in the league or up the level of British riders to 3 in a side so they gain experience by facing better riders and get a chance at the top level instead of 3 matches and never used again and bring a rider from aboard to take the place of a rider that could be given to a home-grown one.

Wednesday 27 March 2013

TIGERS WELL & TRULY EARN STRIPES WITH COMEBACK WIN!

MANCHESTER PHOENIX 4 - 5 TELFORD TIGERS

Sunday evening saw the final regular season game of the season in the English Premier League this season at the Altrincham ice dome, As the Manchester Phoenix played hosts to the Bottom of the table Telford Tigers but a lately resurgent Telford Tigers as they hadn`t lost in 3 games to any team and was their best form in the EPL since they came back last year into the league. As they beat Bracknell 5-2 Saturday and Peterborough 8-4 the previous week along with the unbelievable massacre of Phoenix 8-2 the previous weekend.

Manchester had the extra day`s rest as they played on the Friday night at Ice Sheffield against the Sheffield Steeldogs winning eventually after overtime 7-6, This despite throwing away another 4 goal lead once again this season. Phoenix were 6-2 up with 10 minutes to go when they fell apart and conceded 4 goals to go into Overtime and luckily Tom Duggan who was Man of the Match scored his 5th goal of the night to give Manchester the extra point.

So heading into the Sunday clash it was expected to be a bit of meaningless match with neither fighting for anything in the way of qualifying for playoffs as Manchester consolidated their 3rd place spot in Sheffield Friday night nor sadly for Telford they were out of the running a while ago to be fair. As Manchester were hoping for no injuries being picked up before the Playoff quarter finals next Sunday which they were waiting on confirmation on who the Phoenix would be facing due to it being either the Swindon Wildcats or the Bracknell Bees depending on results that evening.

Phoenix drafted in 3 of the Trafford Metros for the game as they were missing forward James Archer who was ill and Czech defenseman Ondrej Pozivil who is struggling with an injury he picked up against Telford last Saturday. So in came Lee Pollitt, Cade King & Jared Dickinson for the Phoenix and Telford team change was Macaulay Heywood coming into the side for the Tigers.

So as the teams entered the ice for the least league game of the season Joy Tottman took charge with Jan Posladek and Kris Wells on the lines, The game started with both sides putting some big hits on one another and was like a playoff type game with the feriouous checking in the plexi glass, Especially from the Orangemen from Shropshire. Phoenix responded with their own hard hitting and also found the opening goal as Play from the first line consisting of Joachim Flaten and Tony Hand fell to Michal Psurny who scored his 41st goal of the season beating the Tigers net minder Declan Ryan in the process at 4-01 to put the Phoenix up 1-0.

The game became a scrappy affair with Telford then picking up by frustrating the Phoenix fast flowing style and Telford had a few chances as they tested the returning Steve Fone to the Phoenix nets. He made a couple of good pad saves from the Tigers forwards and wasn`t showing any hints of rust in his play so far.

A penalty was then called by Tottman on Telford number 14 Tomas Janak for INTERFERENCE timed 7-44 and put Manchester on the power play. The power play can be best being described as atrocious as they had one effort on target as most of it was spent in the Phoenix zone retrieving the puck. One big area for Phoenix has been the power play as they have never looked likely to score on it all season due to the way the set up. So no surprise that Telford killed it off and went back to full strength

Manchester had a couple of efforts but nothing that was too troubling to be honest for Ryan in the period, A lot of sloppiness by both sides made the game largely a scrappy period as both teams were making the game more exciting by the big hit going round the first 20 minutes.

We had one occasion where the physical stuff was getting to the peak and James Preece from Telford and Rob Schnabel from Phoenix were pushing and having some heated words by the boards in the Phoenix end. Telford did get on the scoreboard as Phoenix sloppy play combined with good pressure by the Telford side brought a goal, Phoenix thought they had cleared their lines only for the puck to somehow managed to go in from Telford 79 Thomas Soar and the large contingent of Travelling Telford fans in the Orange end of the rink was partying as they saw their side level the game up at 1-1 at 14-02.

The horn sounded for the end of the first 20 minutes as both teams headed to the locker room with Telford arguably the happier of the 2 sides, as they were frustrating the home side from pulling away and getting a fair few chances.

2ND PERIOD the period was dominated by Manchester as they upped their game a lot than they did in the first stanza. Manchester was troubling the Telford defence as they seemed like they were camped in their zone a lot in the majority of the second. Telford were still in the game but the checking wasn`t as hard hitting in the period as it seemed in the first and that was one reason why Phoenix was taking over. Manchester have been in recent times struggling with physical sides and one reason why Telford was successful over a week back against Manchester was the physical play they were putting on the Altrincham based side. So once the hard play was decreasing so was the game play they were using as Manchester threw off the shackles and was free and playing good flowing hockey again.

Chances was being made and seemed only a matter of time before Phoenix scored to regain the lead and it did, As Ex-Telford Tigers player Andy McKinney and Richard Bentham did good work as Declan Ryan had been pulled out of position Bentham fired at Ryan and looked a dead certainty to go in but a fantastic save by the Tigers goal tender stopped it but only as far as the incoming Trafford Mets player Jared Dickinson coming in to poach the rebound home and make it 2-1 and give the home side back the lead at 27-44.

Telford almost replied instantly as a Telford player skated behind the net found Ex-Phoenix Scott McKenzie and his effort struck the bar and Phoenix were left off as it had Fone beat the shot. But to rub it in for Telford Michal Psurny scored his second goal of the game to extend the lead to 3-1 as again the first line produced again with Flaten finding Hand and his pass to Psurny let the Czech forward skill handled quickly to slide it home near post for his 42nd of the season and looked to have took the game away from Telford goal coming at 30-05.

Then Phoenix looked to have killed the game off with a 4th goal with Bari McKenzie behind the net battling away Tom Duggan picking it up passing it in the slot to Liam Chong and his up it in for 4-1 at 31-27 to give Phoenix what looked like the 2 points and would carry on their winning form to next weekend as Telford heads were dropping and so Tigers Coach Tom Watkins took a time out and the Tigers did respond but Manchester were in complete control of the rest of the period as Tigers were down and out and Phoenix look all but in control of the game now as the horn for the end of the period. As if the first period Telford were happy with going in to the break with then Manchester were cock a hoop in the 2nd break.

3RD PERIOD saw an absolutely shocking opening 3 minutes and one that will give nightmares to the Manchester side. Telford came out for the final period looking like a beaten side and one playing just for pride and so as the puck was dropped the first chance Telford had they took, As James Preece dispossessed Schnabel by the boards he played forward towards Callum Bowley and as he skated in the Phoenix zone he passed across to Thomas Soar again and he dispatched him the pass to cut the deficit to 2 and give the Tigers some hope for the remaining 18 minutes and 52 seconds of the final period as the scored at 41-08.

Then things got interesting even more when 8 seconds after the restart Phoenix won the face off played back to Manchester Phoenix captain Luke Boothroyd and a lapse of concentration by the normally reliable captain , His pass went across ice straight to Bowley and he passed back across to Preece and he finished it off to send the Telford fans crazy in the corner as their hopes of getting something out of the game was rapidly growing as it was Telford in the ascendancy and Phoenix looking shocked and lost on the ice and had lost all train of thought now. The Tigers 3rd goal was timed at 41-16 and Phoenix should have taken a timeout to calm the troops as they were visibly mentally all over the place.

Play carried on and 31 seconds later Telford completed a remarkable recovery as Phoenix were all at sea with their defensive exploits and looked lost with them chasing shadows as panic set in. As Luke Brittle started the play off Scott McKenzie collected the puck in his own zone. The Scot then skated hard down the left wing cut across towards goal lost control of the puck as it headed across the Phoenix crease, bodies all strewn across the front of the Phoenix nets. The puck came to Tigers number 44 their latest import recruitment Tomas Karpov and he put it high up for a 4-4 score line and sent the Telford Tigers fans delirious and a seas of Orange and black was waving around as they couldn`t believe the Unbelievable score line and what they were witnessing and to be honest no one else inside the rink could either.

As it was complete and utter silence in the dome as the Tigers fans celebrated their 4th as Manchester were players and fan were at a loss as what was happening in front of them. Telford took over the game as every attack by the Tigers seemed like it was going to threaten a goal when they skated up into the Phoenix zone.

Phoenix took a while to regain composure as they were being outplayed by Telford and the travelling fans loved it. Fone was keeping Phoenix in it still with some good saves and the Phoenix was grateful that his head was still focused, despite what was happening around him.

Daniel Croft then got sent to the box for 2 minutes for SLASHING at 48-57 and put the Phoenix back on the power play and they need now than ever to try and get the PP working as they had looked awful in their first attempt. Second power play was marginally better as they managed to get a half chance and a Schnabel shot that was easily dealt with by Ryan. Phoenix then had Rob Schnabel go for TRIPPING at 54-57 as he sent a Tigers player sliding across mid ice when in no danger and while on a Penalty Kill, Ben Wood was sent for SLASHING at 56-15 giving Tigers a 5-on-3 Power play,

Thankfully for home side they killed it off and the game was getting stretched a bit now as both sides had chances and were pushing to win it in regulation. So as we entertained the final 2 minutes of the game a puck was knocked into the Phoenix zone and Steve Fone skated out to play the puck but before he could reach it Danny Rose stretched out to poke the puck and the puck finished up in the nets as the Phoenix defenseman couldn`t stop it in time as the red light lit assists going to Luke Brittle and James Preece to help Telford completed one of the most Incredible Comebacks seen at the Ice dome for many years. Phoenix took a timeout at 58:25 to gather thoughts though it should have been called during the early period blitz by the Tigers.

But there was still more drama to come as with Manchester pushing on for the tying goal, puck was thrown up ice towards Scott McKenzie and as he beared down on the Phoenix nets he had Bari McKenzie and Luke Boothroyd on his tail and was hooked down leading to Joy Tottman signalling for a Penalty shot to be awarded. So McKenzie himself took it to the home fans trying to put him off but his effort couldn`t beat Fone as he denied him. Right at the end of the game Phoenix pushed on and a shot went flashing across the crease and there was no white shirt to put home, and then Tony Hand skated round the net and tried to the no look shot and it stopped by Ryan and Telford held on for a famous win and their first ever win at the Ice dome.