|
spectator monday 6th february 2012 |
HAVANT PLAYED THEIR HEARTS OUT |
| On
a
day
when
the club welcomed Bjorn Iseberg the men's hockey Technical
Director for the London 2012 Olympics to give a very interesting lunch
time talk the only game in the National league was at Havant College
where Havant played their hearts out and deserved a share of the
spoils, but missed chances and conceded a soft goal gifting Team Bath
three points. Team Bath's game plan was evident from the first whistle as they gave Havant little time on the ball, pressing Havant's defence at every opportunity. Despite this tactic it was Havant who had the first chance when Andy Pett was forced wide by Tom Skinner in the Bath goal and the ball went wide. Havant were made to work hard and it should be said that Sam Hatherley, Craig Duffy and Jon Smedley all had good games in the Havant midfield. Team Bath had their first chance in the 11th minute after they had rolled up pressure on the Havant defence, but the chance was snuffed out by Andy Isaacs in the Havant goal. Three minutes later Havant's old boy Tim Davenport sent a goal bound reverse shot from the edge of the circle, but it struck one of his own team mates in the back. In the 16th minute Havant won their first penalty corner, which was not stopped at the top of the circle and came no nothing. The game was now flowing from end to end and two minutes later Team Bath had won their first penalty corner. The ball was also not stopped and after a switch it was crashed into the circle, where Andy Isaacs cleared the danger. In the 24th minute Team Bath won another penalty corner, which after a retake resulted in a pass to a man on the penalty spot, but he defected the ball wide of the goal. 3 minutes later a turn over in the Bath midfield allowed Jon Smedley to transfer the ball into the Bath circle, which resulted in another penalty corner. From this corner Tom Murtagh drag flicked the ball disappointingly wide. Both teams were playing competitively and the half ended with another Havant penalty corner won by Andy Pett. Unfortunately Havant were unable to capitalise on this set piece and the half ended surprisingly without a goal.
|
Havant
started
the
second
half strongly, but it was Team Bath who had
the first chance of the second half winning a penalty corner in the
39th minute, this was saved by Andy Isaacs. The game was full of
passion with neither side giving any ground as the momentum shifted
from one end to the other. In the 46th minute Sam Hatherley turning
over the ball fed Andy Pett in the circle, and his reverse shot was
well save by old boy Tom Skinner in the Bath goal. A minute later Pett
was again denied during a good Havant spell. In the 56th minute Tim Davenport won Bath their forth penalty corner. The ball was not moved to the top of the circle, but moved wide to Johnny Kinder on the side of the circle. He slapped the ball towards the goal, Isaacs was caught out by the switch and off balance and allowed the ball to pass through his legs to give Team Bath the lead. Despite this set back a minute later Havant won their 4th penalty corner. The ball was sent goal wards for a deflection from Craig Duffy, but a heavy challenge knocked him off balance and the ball went off for the 16 yard hit. In the 62nd minute Havant carved out another opportunity when an Andy Pett left wing cross shot across the goal, but there was no Havant forward to get a touch. 3 minutes later Havant had a triple shot chance, firstly Duffy hit the keeper the ball re-bounding out to Pett, he sent it back for Skinner to save again, and it was again rebounded to a Havant player, but Sam Hatherley sent the third shot wide. With minutes remaining Havant threw everything atTeam Bath in search of an equaliser leaving themselves exposed at the back. In the 68th, 69th and 70th minutes Bath had three breaks giving sharp shooter Tim Davenport three virtually open goal chances. He firstly in space in the circle moved the ball round Isaacs and then flicked wide of an open net. He then put an easy chance the wrong side of the post and in the last minute of the game missed the goal on the other side of the goal with a chance he usually buries with ease. The result was a cruel lesson for Havant who did everything but score, despite multiple chances. Team Bath may be league leaders by some way, but they will drive back to a snow bound West of England tonight in the knowledge they were more than lucky to be taking back all three points. |
Having been Team Manager for quite a long period, our Club President Chris Pickett must have been disappointed and pleased to some extent about, the result against Argentina. Pleased that they played so well that they got to the final, and produced such good hockey. In the rankings list they were not expected to reach this stage so to lose to World Champions, must be encouraging. This must augur well for the Olympics. For our Men's Firsts, after what's seems such a long wait the second half season, is under way. Now they must make every effort to hold their place and possibly finish further up the league. Indoor hockey recovered in the second weekend after what can only be described as a lame first weekend. Hampshire escaped the snow, with many games lost in all sports across the country. scoop |
