DALE HOYLE turned on a spectacular six-goal performance as Phoenix hammered Halifax Irish.

Michael Gilmartin followed up with a hat-trick and there were goals from Steve Lister and Peter Darroch to complete the 11-0 rout.

The victory saw Phoenix climb further up the Premier Division.

The Halifax defence had no answer to the strike-force of Hoyle, Gilmartin and McCormack which constantly caused them problems and scoring three goals in the first 20 minutes.

Midfielder Lister, added to the score by chipping the keeper from the edge of the box, and a rare Halifax chance was denied by an impressive one-handed save from keeper paul Linyard.

Phoenix were 6-0 up by half time and continued to score at regular intervals in the second half.

Dale Hoyle produced the best goal of the match when Darroch crossed from the right and Hoyle chipped the keeper from close range.

Phoenix entertain Pudsey in the third round of the County Cup at Marley on Saturday, ko 2pm.

Phoenix Reserves capped an outstanding week for the club with a 6-2 demolition of Ovenden Reserves.

They started brightly and took the lead through Colin Horsfield who rounded the keeper before slotting home. They had a chance to increase the lead when Stuart Hudson was felled by the keeper only to see him remain unpunished and add insult to injury by saving the spot kick, and Ovenden raced straight upfield to equalise.

But this only spurred Phoenix on and debutant Ben Furness volleyed them back ahead within minutes. Horsfield added his second just before half time.

Ovenden piled on the pressure in the second half, but Phoenix caught them on the break with Bernard Matthews bundling in a fourth. Gareth Turbitt evaded everybody in a crowded box for the fifth.

Hudson made amends late on with number six and Ovenden scrambled a consolation late in the game.

Another encouraging sign was the performance of emerging youngster John Turner whose pace troubled the defence.

Steeton search for the points which will lift them off the bottom of Division Two continued with a 4-1 defeat by Batley Town. S Barren was the only scorer for the Summerhill Lane side.

Keighley Shamrocks are also struggling at the foot of the table, but picked up a valuable point following their 4-4 draw with Brighouse Town Reserves. Howard Wellwood and Paul Driver scored two each.

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