DIVISION 1 MEN
STRIKERS overcame West’s significant pressure to pull off a stunning win in round five of the Lower South East Hockey Association Division 1 men’s season at Blue Lake Sports Park on the weekend.
The result was a shock for the undermanned West side, which suffered its first defeat of the year.
Little separated the teams across the four quarters with the ball going from end to end in the early stages.
After a scoreless opening term, Strikers took the game on in the second quarter and its attacking mindset was rewarded.
Jordan Millhouse handed Strikers the lead after he pulled off an athletic goal by deflecting the ball over the keeper and diving to knock the ball into the net.
Trailing at half time, West responded aggressively to dictate the contest during the third stanza and Jonathan Allcock found the equaliser just before the final break.
With the scoreboard locked at one apiece, both sides battled hard and West threatened to snatch the game.
However, Strikers’ defence held firm and Millhouse pounced on another opportunity to take the lead again with an impressive tomahawk.
West continued to attack during the closing stages and received a penalty corner on the brink of full time.
But West could not score and Strikers clung on to win 2-1.
Strikers coach Graeme Millhouse was a relieved man and paid credit to his side’s fighting abilities after fearing the game was about to slip away.
“The guys were pretty happy to get another win on the board,” he said.
“It was an arm wrestle and I thought West was going to overrun us during the first six minutes of the last quarter.
“But our midfield and defensive guys were able to keep the ball out of the danger area and we scored against the run of play.”
Millhouse paid credit to his defenders’ hard work after West threw everything at them.
“The defensive guys were good enough to shut down most opportunities and not give the opposition many chances,” he said.
“It was pleasing to not quite play at our best, but still keep the opposition down.
“Our best player was probably Dean McCarthy, who is our back sweeper and controlled everything from back there.”
Matt Boylan impressed in his attacking role, while Mason Hill, Chris Hunt and Dale Tucker also received mentions in the Strikers’ best.
West was led by Gavin Robertson, Aiden Cameron and Jason Steen.
Strikers has now scored three consecutive wins and the side’s coach is starting to like what he sees.
“We are pleased with the last three games and we are slowly starting to get our structure and game play to where we want to be,” Millhouse said.
“Hopefully we can keep the strong form going for the next six weeks.”
The other Division 1 men’s match was a walkover between Tigers and Redbacks.
Tigers dominated the contest to win 7-0 with help from a three-goal effort by Aaron Mengler.
DIVISION 1 WOMEN
STRIKERS managed to secure a tense win over West in the fifth round of the 2020 Lower South East Hockey Association Division 1 women’s season at Blue Lake Sports Park on Saturday.
Under sunny skies both teams fought hard in the low-scoring contest and struggled to find their rhythm in the early stages.
Players found it difficult to execute their skills under pressure and despite creating opportunities, neither team could score before half time.
After the squads received a breather and some advice from their coaches on the bench at the break, the intensity lifted in the third quarter.
Strikers came out firing with a strong structure and passing game on display through the middle.
It consistently threatened to score and finally broke the deadlock to add the first and only goal of the contest.
Claire Moore converted a carefully-constructed short corner to hand Strikers the advantage before three-quarter time.
Determined to avoid defeat, West put the pressure on in the final quarter and regularly penetrated the goal circle to keep Strikers’ defenders on their toes.
However, West’s assault was unsuccessful and Strikers claimed an unexpected one-nil triumph.
Strikers coach Andrew Schubert said the game’s pace increased after a slow start and believed the turning point arrived in the third term.
“The first two quarters were a bit sloppy,” he said.
“The pressure was on for both teams and once that first settled down the game started to flow.
“After half time Strikers controlled the game a bit better and put more pressure on West’s defence, but they had a good structure.
“Their goalkeeper saved a few and we missed some, but eventually we converted a goal from a nice short corner.”
Despite the breakthrough in the third quarter, Schubert said he felt nervous during the closing stages as West attacked, but felt the hard work of two defenders ensured the scoreboard did not change.
“The last five minutes were very tense,” he said.
“West pressured us throughout the last quarter, but we were pretty lucky to have good control in the centre half from new player Felicity Gallagher.
“She created a good structure and our goalkeeper Kate Fabin did a great job under high pressure.”
After five rounds of action, Schubert is happy with how his team has progressed in the club’s first Division 1 women’s campaign in more than a decade.
“I am very happy with how the girls are coming along,” he said.
“It is Strikers’ first Division 1 women’s season for about 11 years, so the club also believes we are progressing pretty well.”
The other Division 1 women’s match was just as close, as Redbacks claimed a 1-0 win over Tigers.
In a tight encounter the only goal of the match came from Zara Blackwell to push Redbacks into the lead.
