Hockey: Penarth are all over UWIC for fine win (From Penarth Times)

Hockey: Penarth are all over UWIC for fine win

9:48am Thursday 4th February 2010

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PENARTH consolidated their place at the top of the Severn division with a convincing 5-0 display against Cardiff & UWIC B on Saturday at Barry.

The win continued a good start to the second half of the season for the league leaders and secured an emphatic double over the Cardiff side.

The game started at a fast pace, with Penarth marshalled by Mark Harris in goal and with Stevens, Robbo, Docherty and Williams across the back.

The midfield of CB, Haran, Click and Jonty took control early and were able to link up well with the front two of Lane and R Baker.

After 10 minutes of play, CB, Haran, Lane and Baker began exerting themselves on the UWIC defence and strong early running from CB in particular was met with the kind of false confidence that only comes from a team waiting to be torn apart.

The Penarth players knew this and CB, responding to the calls of ‘that’s all he’s got boys’, started going past defenders with ease and twice came close to scoring. Haran then picked up the ball on the right hand side, stormed into the D and powered the ball through the keeper into the corner of the goal – 1-0 Penarth.

Docherty and Robinson continued to play the ball around from the heart of the Penarth defence and dictated attack after attack for Penarth while at the other end Baker and Lane kept the pressure on the UWIC team, forcing them to surrender possession.

It was now CB’s turn to get a goal, and he duly obliged by ending a tricky run with a low shot past the keeper. The UWIC team were left appealing hopefully for anything the umpire could give them, but their cries fell on deaf ears and the Penarth players celebrated the second goal.

Penarth almost went 3-0 up just before half time with Baker, the skipper, firing a first time reverse stick shot from the edge of the D against the top of the right hand post for what would have been a candidate for goal of the season.

Penarth started the second half in the same way as they had played the first, ensuring good basics and a high work rate.

Williams and Pikey, now on for Jonty, broke up play on the Penarth left hand side and quickly turned defence into attack. Stevens and Robinson pushed forward on the right hand side and this allowed CB to continue terrorising the UWIC back four.

The game became stretched as UWIC pushed forward for a goal but Penarth showed their superior quality by scoring three quick goals, the first to Pikey who made a great run into the UWIC D and got on the end of a square ball from CB for his second goal of the season.

CB then repeated his earlier goal by scoring one almost exactly the same, and Baker notched the 5th soon after, picking up the ball at the top of the D from Lane and passing it into the far corner.

It was now game over with over 15 minutes left to play.

Penarth closed the game out with UWIC continuing to press without managing to put Harris under much trouble. Baker rotated the midfield with Pikey, Jonty, and Click all spending some time on the touchline and Haran nursing a sore calf.

The game came to an end with Penarth on top and still creating numerous chances. The Penarth players patted themselves on the back after a great team performance, and awarded the Man of the Match belt to Click for his strong performance in the Penarth midfield after an injury layoff.

The league season continues at Lansdown on Saturday and at home to Cleevilians at 2pm in Barry on Sunday.

Training continues on Wednesday nights from 7.15pm at Barry Leisure Centre…with steak nights at the Star in Dinas Powys once a month!

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