PENARTH Hockey Club continued its preparations for the forthcoming league campaign by maintaining its unbeaten start to the 2014-15 season with an away win at old foes Llanishen and Caerphilly.

Following on from a 2-1 opening weekend victory against Newport, which came courtesy of a Dave Watkins brace, a combined Penarth squad travelled to Hawthorn under some welcome late summer sun determined to continue in similar vein.

Despite some changes to the line-up over game one, and reverting to a tried and trusted formation to ease the passage of substitutions over the 70 minutes, Penarth opened the stronger, forcing the home side into protracted defence as Watkins, Dave Thomas and Chris Baker all threatened to score.

Finding the Llan and Caer goalkeeper in ‘ball-magnet’ form, however, Penarth were undone midway through the half when, in the midst of defensive changes, they allowed the home side through to open the scoring against the run of play. When a soft second goal followed, the writing could have been on the wall for the visitors, but they responded by returning the pressure to the other end, and were eventually rewarded when Craig Llewellyn converted a short corner at the second attempt.

Turning around just a goal in arrears, Penarth started the second half in confident mood, and again enjoyed the better of the early possession. The scores were levelled when Llewellyn return a penalty corner to Watkins on the near post, and the visitors then seized control of the game when a quick ball from the back resulted in Sam Wooding slotting home from the middle of the D.

Stung into action, Llan and Caer increased their pressure, pushing spare men forward in search of an equaliser, and were rewarded when the extra body left goalkeeper Mark Harris with no chance of stopping a fierce shot from just yards out.

Chances continued at both ends but, just as the game appeared set to end in stalemate, Penarth took a quick corner that caught the opposition by surprise, allowing Wooding to fire home with the last touch of the game.

League games get underway on Saturday, September 20, with the 2nd XI facing off against Llanishen and Caerphilly A at Barry Sports Centre. The 1st XI have to wait a further week before starting their campaign away at Cardiff Medics.

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)