Hockey men win as Wotton can't Hackett!

7:30am Thursday 13th November 2008

Penarth 5

Wotton 3

PENARTH Hockey Club 1st XI performed a Lazarus-like comeback last Saturday, managing to beat their English counterparts Wotton 5-3 after trailing 3-1 with less than 15 minutes remaining.

One of the key elements of the game was the performances of Rob Williams and Sam Hackett. Both youngsters are pushing for International squad call-ups and the selectors could do worse than to see both players in action.

Williams provides a robust stability down the left and Hackett has been the right man in the right place on several occasions this season.

Penarth approached the game positively after a thrashing of West Wilts the previous weekend.

However, the side in green managed to find themselves 2-0 down after 10 minutes with Wotton converting two penalty corners.

After a fairly even first half it was that man Hackett who managed to grab a goal back for Penarth in the dying seconds.

The early part of the second half saw Penarth dominate but fail to convert the chances that came their way, and Wotton stretched their lead to 3-1 with a breakaway goal against the run of play.

The introduction of Mark Thomas early in the second half meant that Skipper Baker could push forward and Thomas along with Williams shut down all attacking options on the left.

This was Thomas' first game back with the First XI after sustaining a worrying shoulder injury, but it was like old times as he received a green warning card only minutes after his arrival.

What must be a worry for Skipper Baker at the moment is the indiscipline of the 1st XI and this must improve.

On Saturday the umpires were in no mood for any backchat, and even a Mooresque eyebrow raised would result in Penarth back tracking 10 yards.

With Penarth pushing forward at every opportunity penalty corners were being frequently awarded, and it was pleasing to see that Penarth converted their opportunities with Tom Harran deflecting a Phil Lane strike on goal.

The equaliser came from Skipper Baker who struck home from an extremely narrow angle.

Penarth were attacking from all areas of the pitch and in what former captain Dave Stevens called "a freaky five minutes" they pulled ahead.

Hackett picked up the ball wide on the left and showed composure and strength to scythe through the Wotton defence and slam home a fourth goal.

With little time remaining Penarth secured victory with another Lane penalty corner.

This was a result that shows the resolute attitude if this year's squad.

Confidence in the ability of the players seems to run through the spine of the team from Mark Harris, through Jamie Davison at the back, to Chris Baker in midfield and finally through to Rhys Evans and Dave Kidby leading the strike force.

With Penarth now standing in fifth place in the league, this week's home tie against Old Bristolians is a key fixture and a victory would see the 1st XI making a statement of their intent at the halfway point of the season.

Come along and support your local hockey side!