BOTH Penarth Hockey Club sides were left with a feeling of frustration after the latest round of matches in the Davis Wood Hockey League matches, but the 2nd XI in particular believed that it could have been them - and not their opponents - walking away with the points.

Penarth ‘A’ 1-7 Whitchurch ‘E’

A couple of hours after the 1st XI suffered their own 0-3 reverse against Cardiff University ‘A’, the Seconds took to the Barry Sports Centre pitch for the first of eight seasonal fixtures against old rivals Whitchurch.

This encounter saw the Vale side taking on the second of the visitors’ four sides in the De Cymru two division and was always going to be a tough one, even before Penarth was affected by the absence of key players, including both regular goalkeepers.

The hosts started brightly, despite the unusually late push back, but failed to take advantage of early pressure and allowed Whitchurch to remain in the game. Their profligacy was then punished midway through the half, when the visitors struck on the break and, despite several fine stops by emergency ‘keeper Graeme Jones, the tide quickly turned in favour of the Cardiff side as two further goals took the interval scoreline to 0-3.

The score, however, did not reflect the balance of play, with Scafftag-sponsored Penarth more than holding their own and keen to strike back early in the second period. That desire was soon sated as a quick exchange of passes from deep in their own half allowed the home side to reduce the deficit as Dave Watkins fed Tom Parkinson and the frenetic forward slotted coolly home.

Penarth briefly appeared to be in the ascendancy but, once again, the inability to create chances – and a number of penalty corner ‘shouts’ that failed to come their way – allowed Whitchurch to resist pressure and, eventually, turn the game back their way as a mishit cross from the far left of the Penarth ‘D’ somehow found the back post before deflecting over the line.

Needing to find three goals to at least secure a draw that was the minimum their endeavours deserved, Penarth pushed forward through the creative James Davies and Sam Salisbury, but found that their goalmouth efforts failed to attract the good fortune being enjoyed at the opposite end.

Despite some determined defending from Zbig Sobierserski, Ian Smith, Craig Llewellyn and Paul Roberts, Whitchurch literally enjoyed ‘the rub of the green’ as Jones was beaten three further times before the final whistle to leave the result at an unrepresentative 1-7 in favour of the visitors.

With their goal difference battered, Penarth are now at the tail-end of a three-way tie for seventh place in the division and will need to ensure full points from forthcoming games against weaker opposition.

League games continue this weekend, with (Saturday, October 18), with the 1st XI on the road against second-placed Hereford while the Seconds travel to Treforest to take on another of the multiple Whitchurch sides.

Penarth Hockey Club always welcomes new, old and returning players, umpires, supporters, friends and helpers regardless of age and ability. Training takes place on the artificial turf at Barry Sport Centre every Wednesday, with the juniors in action between 6-7pm and Senior between 7-8pm.

Further information can be obtained from: club secretary Dave Stevens (d_stevens81@hotmail.co.uk)