Football: Camden Sunday League Challenge Cup - Phoenix 3 Athletico Annies 2

Published: 21 April, 2011
by STEVE BARNETT

ALL-CONQUERING Phoenix wrapped up a magnificent treble at the weekend when they beat Athletico Annies to lift our prestigious Camden Sunday League Challenge Cup. 

In a frantic opening at Cockfosters Stadium, defender Steve Hounslow cleared the ball off the line to deny Athletico the lead before racing down field to head home the opening goal. 

Leading scorer Anthony Clark then doubled the lead with a great volley, taking his personal count to 53 goals for the season. 

Annies continued to battle and were only denied a way back into the game by two brilliant stops from Phoenix keeper Daniel Ewens, one of which was an outstanding one-handed save to push away a certain goal from Teddy Barham. 

Gio Falzone then scored the goal of the game as he danced past three players before drilling the ball into the top corner to give Phoenix a 3-0 lead. Goals from Leigh Hartley and Jack Shepherd saw Annies spark a nail-biting finish, but Phoenix managed to hold on to seal a thrilling 3-2 win. 

The treble triumph, which also includes the Division One title and the Senior Cup, is the perfect reward for all the hard work put in by manager Dave Harber and Karen Marshall, who helps run the team. 

Struggling to find the words to show his delight, Dave said: “This side is one that a lot of managers would love to have. They simply don’t know how to lose. I really want to thank all the players. Winning the treble is such an unbelievable feeling, the entire squad deserves so much praise.” 

And praising his skipper Michael Pattrick (pictured left lifting the cup) Dave added: “Phoenix have never had a better captain than Michael – you could not ask for more from a player.

“Both myself and Karen would also like to say a special thanks to Dave Dawson, who pulled the strings in midfield just a day after doing a sponsored walk to raise money for charity.”