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1st XI fights back to deny students

1st XI fights back to deny students

Craig Llewellyn18 Nov 2014 - 09:59
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Penarth Hockey Club faced two tricky Davis Wood Hockey League encounters at the weekend, hampered by the absence of key players.

Bristol University ‘B’ 3-3 PENARTH

Penarth’s 1st XI travelled across the Severn Bridge for a late afternoon fixture against mid-table rivals Bristol University ‘B’ knowing that a victory was essential to remain in touch with a top two threatening to pull away from the rest of the division.

Despite the journey to darkest Shirehampton, it was the visitors who started the more brightly, building through Chris Baker and Tom Haran in midfield and putting immediate pressure on the student defence.

The early effort was rewarded when a pacy approach was finished off by the lurking Chris McCarthy with less than ten minutes on the clock, buoying a Penarth side that, despite the odd Bristol foray, had yet to defend its own goal.

The Vale side doubled its advantage midway through the half, when Baker produced a typical piece of individual hockey before firing past the hapless University goalkeeper, and the strike was made more welcome by the knowledge that the students were gradually coming more into the game, with increasing pressure being applied to the visitors’ goal.

With right-half Dave Stevens and goalkeeper Mark Harris in fine form, the sides went into the interval without any further addition to the score, but Penarth knew that they would need to be on their mettle to prevent their hard-earned advantage being unravelled by their hosts.

Unfortunately, a change of strategy allowed the students to seize the upper-hand straight after the interval, and concerted pressure on the Penarth goal drew a couple of sharp saves from Harris. The ‘keeper could not keep the Bristol forwards at bay forever though and, eventually, the Penarth defences were breached by a penalty corner.

Rocked by the goal, Penarth were quickly brought back to parity as further University pressure led to a cross from the left that found a forward unmarked just a few feet off the goal-line. With only the recovering Harris to beat, a goal was inevitable, and drawing level only served to give the students fresh impetus.

Although Penarth enjoyed their share of attacking moments, they appeared less incisive than their hosts, and it was only a matter of time before the advantage finally tipped in Bristol’s fashion. Once again, Penarth were undone by a sustained run of penalty corners, with one eventually sneaking in at the right-hand post to make the score 3-2 in Bristol’s favour.

Undeterred, and keen to secure the result that their endeavour deserved, Penarth continued to look for ways through the student defence, but it appeared as if fate may have turned against them. However, a brief injury break while Harris shook off the effects of a goalmouth collision appeared to give Penarth the chance to collect their thoughts, and renewed pressure eventually led to a hard-earned equaliser as Gareth Hurman popped up at the far post to tap home a ball fired in from the left flank.

With very little time remaining after the restart, Penarth was able to hold on and claim a merited 3-3 draw that secures them in fourth place in De Cymru & The Marches 1.

Carew 5-2 PENARTH ‘A’

With a depleted side, and midfield Paul ‘Freddy’ Thomas deputising between the sticks in the absence of a recognised goalkeeper, Penarth’s 2nd XI was always going to be up against on their trip to Swansea.

Despite another spirited display to match the one apparent in the previous week’s reverse against co-leaders Cardiff & Met ‘F, Penarth had no answer for the pressure applied by their hosts and eventually succumbed to a 5-2 defeat that drags them closer to the bottom four.

League games continue this weekend (Saturday 22 November), with the 1st XI hosting Wotton-under-Edge at Barry Sports Centre, while the Seconds head across Cardiff to take on one of the myriad Whitchurch teams populating the De Cymru 2 division.

Penarth Hockey Club always welcomes new, old and returning players, umpires, supporters, friends and helpers regardless of age and ability. Training takes place on the artificial turf at Barry Sport Centre every Wednesday, with the Juniors in action between 6-7pm and Senior between 7-8pm.

Further information can be obtained from: club secretary Dave Stevens (d_stevens81@hotmail.co.uk)

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