The Stade de Stanwell welcomed back league hockey after nearly eighteen months away, it falling to the “As” to be the first of the club’s teams to start a competitive campaign at home after the pandemic.

Cardiff University arrived with a depleted team and no goalkeeper for reasons hard to comprehend.so started the game with 9 outfield players. The remainder of the squad arrived by half-time. Both sides looked rusty perhaps not unexpectedly and the afternoon was dominated by short corners. Eight of the eleven goals scored came either directly from these or from the ineffective clearance of them.

Cardiff started in possession and patiently passed the ball around their midfield and defence seemingly content to play for time. Penarth were eager to overturn the ball with the numerical advantage and rushed forward to press the away team. Maybe a little too eagerly, after a neat interchange on the wing the Penarth midfield and defence parted like the Red Sea to allow a lonely striker a chance create the first short corner by drawing a despairing tackle from an overreaching defender. This opportunity allowed Cardiff to snatch a shock opening goal from a low and bobbly drag flick.

The home side reacted well to this setback and immediately were able to draw level following a flowing attacking move with Ellis Johnson getting the equalising goal.

Unsurprisingly the numerical advantage meant that Penarth were able to dominate possession and launch waves of attacks and goals quickly followed from Sam Chick and a neat flick from Andy Strong who enjoyed a dominant afternoon. A skilful conversion by Dave Watkins put Penarth three goals clear before Cardiff University pulled one back from another short corner scenario. With Gabe Pryde also finding the net Penarth took a four-goal lead into the break

There was little surprise that the now full-strength university team upped the tempo in the second half and immediately hauled themselves back into the contest straight after the interval. On what was now a hot afternoon and with only one substitute Penarth to their credit began to dominate. After a good build up from Strong David Joyce slotted home from close range. As time ran out Cardiff scored again but by now Penarth had secured all the points.

Now the “As” must build on this good start. More concentration, more movement and less over running.

Penarth A 7 Cardiff University 3rds 4

Johnson (1)
Chick (2)
Strong (1)
Pryde (1)
Joyce (1)
Watkins (1)