Phoenix pull off miracle on Marshes

Published: 14 October, 2010
by STEVE BARNETT

PHOENIX overcame all the odds on Sunday when they beat Mayville in the second round of the Senior Cup – despite only having eight players!

Any chances the cup holders had of retaining their trophy looked to be over when a car carrying five of their players, including their goalkeeper, broke down on the way to Hackney Marshes.

The champions refused to give in to defeat, however, and pulled off one of the most incredible wins ever seen in the Camden Sunday League.

Leading scorer Anthony Clarke stole the show with four stunning strikes, taking his personal tally to 11 goals in just five games. Captain Michael Pattrick also scored as Phoenix netted a thrilling 5-4 victory.

Manager Dave Harber was full of praise for his team after the match.

“I’ve got a very special bunch of players,” he said.

“All the boys put in a magnificent shift. You don’t expect a team with eight players to score five.

I don’t think there’s another team in this league that could have done that.”

The biggest win of the round saw Athletico Annies smash eight goals past Crouch End Rangers.

Ryan Tanner and Martin Whitelock both scored stunning hat-tricks.

Leigh Hartley and Joe Thompson were also on target as Athletico stretched their ­winning run to five games with an 8-0 victory.