Enniscorthy Hockey Club men's 1st team were once again out in search of their first league win of the season, but in contrast to their previous disappointments, Saturday saw them victorious against a skilful Rathgar 3rds team.
The Slaneysiders knew from the early stages of the league that competition in division 5 is tight and that they would need to put up a good fight to be in with a chance of bagging all 3 points for themselves. So from the get go, they came out fighting, providing an excellent game of hockey both to play and watch.
The first half saw multiple chances for Donal Doyle’s men, with excellent linking up the centre through midfielders, Daithi Medcalf, Glenn Chapman and David Simmons to forwards, Niall Maguire, Roy Chapman and Edmundas Liuikimas. However, with all the chances it wasn't until halfway through the first half, when centre forward Roy Chapman found the backboard with a reverse stick deflection from a pass received across the Rathgar circle. The change in the scoreboard did not mean that Enniscorthy took their foot off the pedal, when not long later, Glenn Chapman, the elder brother of Enniscorthy’s goalscorer Roy had a near miss with a chip in the direction of the Rathgar goal, but it sailed narrowly over the cross bar. Substitutes Jason Rothwell, John McWey and Liam Jowett all making big impacts when they came for the Wexford side. At half time it stood 1-0 to the home side.
The second half saw the scoreboard change again, with the ball passing by the Dubliner’s keeper after a shot by midfielder David Simmons. Rathgar came back fighting trying to rectify the scores against them. They forced Enniscorthy defenders Clive Rothwell, Andrew Rothwell, Martyn Veitch and Keith Ogilvie to work hard. They also obtained multiple consecutive short corners, however, none of these resulted in goals for the visitors, due to excellent defending by Roy Chapmann, Clive, Martyn, Keith and the ever solid keeper Graham Hill. At the final whistle the delight and relief was evident from all involved as the Wexford men had finally obtained the win they have been in search of over the passed number of months.
Enniscorthy will move forward and hope to maintain this winning momentum and seize another 3 points when they travel to take on Avoca in their next league match on 12th December.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; Keith Ogilvie; Clive Rothwell; Martyn Veitch; Andrew Rothwell; Glenn Chapman; Roy Chapman; Daithi Medcalf; David Simmons; Niall Maguire; John McWey; Edmundas Liuikimas; Jason Rothwell; Liam Jowett. Coach: Donal Doyle; Manager: Fraser Rothwell
The Slaneysiders knew from the early stages of the league that competition in division 5 is tight and that they would need to put up a good fight to be in with a chance of bagging all 3 points for themselves. So from the get go, they came out fighting, providing an excellent game of hockey both to play and watch.
The first half saw multiple chances for Donal Doyle’s men, with excellent linking up the centre through midfielders, Daithi Medcalf, Glenn Chapman and David Simmons to forwards, Niall Maguire, Roy Chapman and Edmundas Liuikimas. However, with all the chances it wasn't until halfway through the first half, when centre forward Roy Chapman found the backboard with a reverse stick deflection from a pass received across the Rathgar circle. The change in the scoreboard did not mean that Enniscorthy took their foot off the pedal, when not long later, Glenn Chapman, the elder brother of Enniscorthy’s goalscorer Roy had a near miss with a chip in the direction of the Rathgar goal, but it sailed narrowly over the cross bar. Substitutes Jason Rothwell, John McWey and Liam Jowett all making big impacts when they came for the Wexford side. At half time it stood 1-0 to the home side.
The second half saw the scoreboard change again, with the ball passing by the Dubliner’s keeper after a shot by midfielder David Simmons. Rathgar came back fighting trying to rectify the scores against them. They forced Enniscorthy defenders Clive Rothwell, Andrew Rothwell, Martyn Veitch and Keith Ogilvie to work hard. They also obtained multiple consecutive short corners, however, none of these resulted in goals for the visitors, due to excellent defending by Roy Chapmann, Clive, Martyn, Keith and the ever solid keeper Graham Hill. At the final whistle the delight and relief was evident from all involved as the Wexford men had finally obtained the win they have been in search of over the passed number of months.
Enniscorthy will move forward and hope to maintain this winning momentum and seize another 3 points when they travel to take on Avoca in their next league match on 12th December.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; Keith Ogilvie; Clive Rothwell; Martyn Veitch; Andrew Rothwell; Glenn Chapman; Roy Chapman; Daithi Medcalf; David Simmons; Niall Maguire; John McWey; Edmundas Liuikimas; Jason Rothwell; Liam Jowett. Coach: Donal Doyle; Manager: Fraser Rothwell
