Three wins cap successful weekend for Penarth Hockey Club

Bristol & West 2 Penarth 4

Penarth travelled across the Severn on Saturday to face a Bristol & West team that had only lost one game at home all season, knowing that a win against their mid-table rivals would stand them in good stead in pursuit of a top five finish.

Despite the odds appearing to be against them, the Bears started strongly, playing some very good passing hockey, and it wasn't long before their pressure produced the opening goal, albeit a scrappy affair that Chris McCarthy eventually slotted the ball in the top corner.

Buoyed by their breakthrough, Penarth continued to put the West Country team under pressure and were rewarded with a penalty corner, which was expertly drag-flicked straight down the middle past the helpless ‘keeper.

Although Penarth appeared to be fully in control, the home-side broke against the run of play to score a goal with their first chance of the game, reducing the deficit and leaving the visitors shaken.

With their tails up, Bristol increased the pressure and capitalised on some poor clearances to claim a penalty corner of their own.

Although Mark Harris saved the initial strike, Bristol reacted better to the rebound, tapping in a bouncing ball to level the scores.

With the game now in the balance, both teams attempted to push forward in search of the half-time advantage, but it was Penarth who claimed the crucial goal as Chris Baker attacked from the right and took full advantage of Sam Chick’s intelligent diversionary run to find Tom Parkinson unmarked at the far post.

Determined not to dent their home record further, Bristol committed more men forward from the start of the second period, putting Penarth under pressure and creating several chances, but the Vale side dug in and a committed performance from the defence weathered the early storm.

Penarth then started to regain control of the game, creating chances of their own, but it took an improbable goal to settle the game.

Beginning with a simple one-two between Baker and Tom Haran, the former found himself tight on the byeline, but his speculative cross deceived the Bristol ‘keeper and crept in off the back post to make the score 4-2 in the visitors’ favour.

Cheltenham ‘B’ 2 Penarth 4

Perhaps complacent after their Saturday success, Penarth started slowly against bottom club Cheltenham and soon found themselves two-nil down.

Somehow, the visitors got to half-time without conceding again and used the break to refocus.

Taking the game by the scruff of the neck, it quickly became one-way traffic in the second period and, following some good interplay down the right flank, Joe Wells found Owen Hopkins in the ‘D’ and the forward smashed the ball first time past the Cheltenham ‘keeper.

A second goal followed quickly as Sam Docherty threw a big aerial towards the Cheltenham area, where Wells was again on hand to set up Chris Baker for an easy finish.

Penarth were now in ruthless mood, with Baker gradually taking control of proceedings, punishing some poor defending and smashing the ball once past the hapless Cheltenham ‘keeper to give the visitors their first lead of the afternoon.

Baker also played a part in the fourth and final Penarth goal, forcing the home ‘keeper into a save only for the ball to bounce back to Sam Chick, who slapped the ball home to secure a vital three points and complete a successful foray into England for the Welsh club, who rise to fourth in De Cymru & The Marches 1 with four games to play.

Penarth ‘A’ 2 Carew 0

While the senior side was venturing across the bridge, the 2nd XI welcomed an improving Carew side to Estadio Colcot, determined to avenge a contentious 5-2 defeat in the reverse fixture.

Although the visitors took time to find their feet on the tricky Barry pitch, the opening exchanges were evenly matched, with Dave Watkins and Matt Birch putting pressure on the Carew goal and the Penarth defence coping ably with any attacks the West Wales side managed to put together.

Knowing that they needed to make a breakthrough before the interval, Penarth began to play some nice passing hockey, linking through James Davies, Dave Thompson and the industrious Rob Harrison to increase the pressure on Carew’s defence.

But it was a quick move down the left flank that eventually produced the opening goal, as Birch found Watkins in the ‘D’ and the veteran finished coolly.

With their confidence up, Penarth took the game to the visitors for the remainder of the half, and were rewarded with a second goal when an illegal high stick on the goal-line resulted in a penalty flick, which Birch converted nonchalantly to give the Vale side a 2-0 advantage at the break.

Carew, however, continued to pose a threat and Penarth knew that further goals would be needed to put the game beyond doubt.

Despite a brief snowstorm, the Bears continued to create chances through youngsters Sam Salisbury and Rory Vizard but, in typical fashion, failed to convert any before the game took a bizarre twist midway through the second period.

With the defensive combination of Ian Smith, Zbig Sobierserserski, Craig Llewellyn, Paul Roberts and Graeme Jones having successfully snuffed out the future of Welsh hockey for 50 minutes, another resolute challenge proved too much for Carew’s sideline, leading to a one-woman pitch invasion.

A heated exchange of opinions followed, leading to the trespasser ordering ‘her’ side off the field – a situation only averted by some calming words from umpires Derek Wooding and Nick Pratt.

The game ran its course with both sides going close to adding to the score-line.

Penarth had reason to thank goalkeeper Paul ‘Freddy’ Thomas for clearing up one Carew break and the stand-in was eventually rewarded with a clean sheet as the home-side survived a spell of late pressure to run out 2-0 winners.

With their nearest rivals not playing, Penarth reclaimed the hotly-contested fifth place in De Cymru 2, but know that the remaining four fixtures will be crucial in determining who heads the division’s midfield pack comes season’s end.

This weekend sees the 1st XI hosting a Bristol University side just two points behind them in the standings, while the Seconds travel to take on a Llanishen & Caerphilly team looking to cement third spot in the lower division.

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 6pm and 7pm and Senior between 7pm and 8pm.

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