May 2nd 2010

In a return fixture the Phoenix Youth team took on the Lanarkshire Longhorns on Sunday at the Battery Park.

Defences dominated for the majority of the game with great pressure from the Phoenix front four - Fabio Marturano, Ross Gallagher, Stew Keenan and Jonny Gallagher all recording sacks. The Phoenix Offence however was unable to gain much ground when it was their turn with the ball - the Longhorn Defence playing tough football. The Longhorns Offence did gain yards but were knocked back on every occasion in the first half, with two great goal-line stands by the Nix. The teams went in to the half 0-0.

The second half was pretty much more of the same until the Longhorns took advantage of the Nix not being set for the play scoring on a run from their nippy running back #21. As time went on and the numerical advantage of the Longhorn squad took effect #21 again scooted in to the endzone. By this time – after over two hours of football - the 11 ‘iron men’ of the Phoenix were running out of steam. They had managed to restrict the Longhorn GB Tight End Samuels to just the one catch and kept the Longhorn pass offence out of the endzone. A great job by the Nix secondary.

The young local team is learning fast and with hopefully an increased squad the Phoenix will be able to join the Longhorns in the British League next year

The Phoenix would like to wish the Longhorns success in their League Fixtures this coming season, being the only Scottish team.