Enniscorthy Hockey Club men started their Leinster Division 7 campaign in sensational fashion on Saturday with a five-goal thumping of Railway Union V at the Astro Active Centre.
From the off, the omens were good for the Wexford men, as their opponents initially fielded just nine players, and the Railway 'keeper had to be quick off the mark to deny Jason Rothwell the opening goal after just two minutes. Shortly after Glenn Chapman fired a dangerous ball across the visitor's “D”; the onrushing Enniscorthy attack arrived too slowly to take advantage. It took until the fifth minute for the home defence to be put under pressure, Seamus McAllister working well to clear the danger. McAllister can be pleased with his performance on the day, operating well under pressure and scoring the opening goal on 26 minutes after Glenn Chapman worked his way through the centre, then passed left for McAllister. There was barely time to catch a breath when the home side doubled their advantage, Roy Chapman crashing the ball off the woodwork with a ferocious shot on 28 minutes. Enniscorthy took this two-goal lead into the break; by this stage Railway had reached their full compliment of 11 players.
The second half was but three minutes old when Railway had the ball in the back of the Enniscorthy net, but fortunately for the hosts the “goal” was disallowed; the extra numbers for the visitors beginning to tell. This was the best spell of the match for the Dublin 4 side; however quick thinking by Graham Hill in the Enniscorthy net kept them at bay. The hosts, however, refused to back down. Robbie Walshe signalled his side's intent with a battling run down the left wing; Glenn Chapman met his pass inside, and spotting Jason Rothwell inside the “D”, shot for goal. His shot, though, was disallowed as Rothwell had been unable to get even the slightest of touches which would have made it 3-0.
The third goal, though, was not long in coming, Walshe opening his account for the season on 51 minutes. He could have doubled it three minutes later with a close- range effort, but the ball went harmlessly wide. A trademark Jason Rothwell goal on 57 minutes put the result beyond doubt: a storming run down the right, then doubling inside, and a cool finish. Four nil to the Wexford men. And there was time for more: on 68 minutes a similar move from Rothwell was met by Rory Maguire, who finished to the net, much to the delight of the enthusiastic home support.
A positive start to the campaign: three points and five scorers. In addition, three players made their home debuts for Enniscorthy- Ivan Rothwell, David Simmons, and Daithí Medcalf, and their performances augur well for the coming season. Additionally, the team have yet to welcome back others, such as Jonathon Rothwell and John Casey, and competition for places will bring a welcome headache for manager Fraser Rothwell.
Squad: Andrew Rothwell; David Simmons; Clive Rothwell (c); PJ Pierce; Roy Chapman; Glenn Chapman; Cathal Ó Suilleabháin; Jason Rothwell; Seamus McAllister; Robbie Walshe; Graham Hill; Ivan Rothwell; Rory Maguire; Daithí Medcalf; Keith Ogilvie.
Click here to see pictures of the game
From the off, the omens were good for the Wexford men, as their opponents initially fielded just nine players, and the Railway 'keeper had to be quick off the mark to deny Jason Rothwell the opening goal after just two minutes. Shortly after Glenn Chapman fired a dangerous ball across the visitor's “D”; the onrushing Enniscorthy attack arrived too slowly to take advantage. It took until the fifth minute for the home defence to be put under pressure, Seamus McAllister working well to clear the danger. McAllister can be pleased with his performance on the day, operating well under pressure and scoring the opening goal on 26 minutes after Glenn Chapman worked his way through the centre, then passed left for McAllister. There was barely time to catch a breath when the home side doubled their advantage, Roy Chapman crashing the ball off the woodwork with a ferocious shot on 28 minutes. Enniscorthy took this two-goal lead into the break; by this stage Railway had reached their full compliment of 11 players.
The second half was but three minutes old when Railway had the ball in the back of the Enniscorthy net, but fortunately for the hosts the “goal” was disallowed; the extra numbers for the visitors beginning to tell. This was the best spell of the match for the Dublin 4 side; however quick thinking by Graham Hill in the Enniscorthy net kept them at bay. The hosts, however, refused to back down. Robbie Walshe signalled his side's intent with a battling run down the left wing; Glenn Chapman met his pass inside, and spotting Jason Rothwell inside the “D”, shot for goal. His shot, though, was disallowed as Rothwell had been unable to get even the slightest of touches which would have made it 3-0.
The third goal, though, was not long in coming, Walshe opening his account for the season on 51 minutes. He could have doubled it three minutes later with a close- range effort, but the ball went harmlessly wide. A trademark Jason Rothwell goal on 57 minutes put the result beyond doubt: a storming run down the right, then doubling inside, and a cool finish. Four nil to the Wexford men. And there was time for more: on 68 minutes a similar move from Rothwell was met by Rory Maguire, who finished to the net, much to the delight of the enthusiastic home support.
A positive start to the campaign: three points and five scorers. In addition, three players made their home debuts for Enniscorthy- Ivan Rothwell, David Simmons, and Daithí Medcalf, and their performances augur well for the coming season. Additionally, the team have yet to welcome back others, such as Jonathon Rothwell and John Casey, and competition for places will bring a welcome headache for manager Fraser Rothwell.
Squad: Andrew Rothwell; David Simmons; Clive Rothwell (c); PJ Pierce; Roy Chapman; Glenn Chapman; Cathal Ó Suilleabháin; Jason Rothwell; Seamus McAllister; Robbie Walshe; Graham Hill; Ivan Rothwell; Rory Maguire; Daithí Medcalf; Keith Ogilvie.
Click here to see pictures of the game
