Press Release - 02/02/1997
East Antrim Hockey Club
02 February 1997
For further information, contact:
Stephen Swann
Press Release Officer - East Antrim Hockey Club
34 Carnmoney Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 6HP
078 0316 7731
stephen@eastantrim.co.uk
EAST ANTRIM V WANDERERS
East Antrim were up to their old tricks again when the 1st XI failed to win, yet the 2nd and 3rd XI teams both earned handsome victories.
At the University Of Ulster at Jordanstown, the 1st XI team played Wanderers and enjoyed long periods of possession - but as is becoming all too familiar, possession does not win matches, goals do. Inept final balls and lethargy whilst defending is a regular occurrence on a Saturday when East Antrim take to the pitch.
Wanderers managed just two attacks in the first half, scoring from one and hitting the post from the other. East Antrim, had the possession, earned a lot of penalty corners but were 1-0 down at half-time.
The second half saw East Antrim slip into their lethargic mode. Still continuing to dominate possession, they proved very susceptible to quick incisive breaks. Wanderers capitalised on the tactic by increasing their lead to end the game as 3-0 victors.
Team captain, Stephen Swann said after the match "I wish I knew the words to say before and during the game. I have tried everything from the nicely-nicely approach to the 'loudmouth' tactics. Nothing seems to work. The team I have assembled is very talented, as talented as any in the Intermediate League, but there is a major mental block when it comes to winning games"
A break from League duty this Saturday sees Ballynahinch 2nds travel to the Valley Leisure Centre in the McClements Cup. It was the same opposition that put East Antrim out of the cup last season by a scoreline of 5-0. Revenge for the Glengormley men has been made possible by the rematch and a vastly different result is expected.
Meanwhile, Robert Gibson took his 2nd XI team to Lisnagarvey in a bid to revive their faltering championship campaign and lead by example by scoring a hat-trick. Contributions from Tim Kay, Adam McDonald and Colin Black gave the Glengormley men a comfortable 6-2 win, keeping them clear of the chasing pack at the top of Junior League 5.
Robert Gibson, took the game of hockey up late in life - 40 is creeping up on him fast. Despite this, he has managed to score 14 goals this season. Indeed only Colin Black has scored more goals in a league campaign that sees the 2nds heading for promotion for the second year on the trot.
Tom Watson, not renowned for his goal-scoring, managed to get his name on the score-sheet during East Antrim 3rd XIs match against Antrim at Ballysillan Leisure Centre. Captaining the team into promotion winning position, Tom was also leading by example but knew very little about the goal he had scored.
"I don't know why I was in their circle, but the ball hit my stick and the next thing I knew, it had crossed the line and barely hit the backboard of the net." Said Tom.
Although a fortuitous first goal set the team on their way to victory, the second goal from Gareth Moffett was no fluke. Moffett, however, was guilty of denying the team a third goal when he inadvertently knocked Russell White to the ground as White teed up a shot at goal.
The 2-0 win keeps an impressive home record on track. The 3rd XI have only lost 1 match at Ballysillan in 12 months.
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