After a break of four weeks due to a cancelled game two weeks ago Enniscorthy Hockey 1st men welcomed Wicklow Hockey 1st men for what has become a local derby game. On every occasion of these sides meeting it is always a thrilling and tough encounter with many games ending all square. Last Saturday was no different as going into the game both sides were joint top of Leinster Division 5 with equal points and goals for and against.
Wicklow started strong, as they were they quicker to settle into the game. Enniscorthy were unsettled, perhaps due to being a little rusty after their extended break without a game. The Slaneysiders were dealt a blow when they lost sweeper Simmons when a ball deflected up off a stick, hitting him above the eye. Roy Chapman dropped back into sweeper for the period Simmons was off and joined defenders Vietch, Ivan Rothwell and Andrew Rothwell. Unfortunately for Enniscorthy loosing the ever-reliable Simmons seemed to put the home side under pressure as they rushed when they were on the ball and made uncharacteristic mistakes, mistakes that Donal Doyle’s men wouldn’t usual make. Wicklow took advantage of this and pushed the Wexford men and were first to break the deadlock when a well played ball was sent down the right wing where the ball was pushed into Hill’s circle where it was met by a free attacker who skilfully sent ‘keeper Hill in the wrong direction and slotted the ball into the now empty goal before an Enniscorthy defender could get across.
Tensions were high with Wicklow having a man green carded and sent to the corner for two minutes, as Enniscorthy tried to settle and get a hold of the game. However, Wicklow were taking their chances when Enniscorthy were unsettled as they were well aware of the threat Enniscorthy poses. 10 minutes after their first goal, Wicklow managed to secured a second when they intercepted an Enniscorthy pass. The Wicklow attacker found himself in a one-on-one with Enniscorthy keeper and Wicklow came victorious out of the encounter. Shortly after, Enniscorthy was restored to their starting back line when Simmons returned to the field and try and get his men back into the game. Enniscorthy held strong and kept the visitors at bay and were happy to here the whistle blow for the end of the 1st half.
Donal Doyle rallied his side as he tried to get them to re-focus on the game. His side started the second half a lot stronger than they had been in the first. The midfield partnership of Medcalf and Chapman brothers, Glenn and Roy and midfield substitute Jason Rothwell were getting more time on the ball and pushing forward and feeding the attackers Jowett, Maguire and Liukimas along with attacking substitute Durnan. On a number of occasions they came agonisingly close to reducing the gap but no matter how hard they tried the Wicklow defence wanted to keep a clean sheet. Wicklow were awarded a number of short corners but the determined short corner defence of the home side were very quick at clearing the danger. With just 10 minutes to go and the Slaneysiders throwing everything at it Doyle pull off a defender and adding an extra man upfront in to aid their search for a goal. Enniscorthy themselves were awarded a number of shorts but it wasn’t until the very last short corner and in fact the last play of the game when any score resulted. Enniscorthy put everyone up for it, just leaving ‘keeper Hill in their half of the pitch. A ball to the top was slipped right to Liukimas who pushed the ball passed the charging defence of Wicklow who could do nothing to stop the powerful shot. It finished 2-1 with all three points going back to Wicklow. Enniscorthy have a lot to take from the game and will learn from this experience and hope that this can help them go to Clontarf next Saturday and come home with a win and most importantly a strong performance.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; Andrew Rothwell; David Simmons; Martyn Vietch; Ivan Rothwell; Daithi Medcalf; Glenn Chapman; Roy Chapman; Liam Jowett; Edmundas Liukimas; William Durnan; Niall Maguire; Jason Rothwell. Coach: Donal Doyle. Manager: Fraser Rothwell.
Wicklow started strong, as they were they quicker to settle into the game. Enniscorthy were unsettled, perhaps due to being a little rusty after their extended break without a game. The Slaneysiders were dealt a blow when they lost sweeper Simmons when a ball deflected up off a stick, hitting him above the eye. Roy Chapman dropped back into sweeper for the period Simmons was off and joined defenders Vietch, Ivan Rothwell and Andrew Rothwell. Unfortunately for Enniscorthy loosing the ever-reliable Simmons seemed to put the home side under pressure as they rushed when they were on the ball and made uncharacteristic mistakes, mistakes that Donal Doyle’s men wouldn’t usual make. Wicklow took advantage of this and pushed the Wexford men and were first to break the deadlock when a well played ball was sent down the right wing where the ball was pushed into Hill’s circle where it was met by a free attacker who skilfully sent ‘keeper Hill in the wrong direction and slotted the ball into the now empty goal before an Enniscorthy defender could get across.
Tensions were high with Wicklow having a man green carded and sent to the corner for two minutes, as Enniscorthy tried to settle and get a hold of the game. However, Wicklow were taking their chances when Enniscorthy were unsettled as they were well aware of the threat Enniscorthy poses. 10 minutes after their first goal, Wicklow managed to secured a second when they intercepted an Enniscorthy pass. The Wicklow attacker found himself in a one-on-one with Enniscorthy keeper and Wicklow came victorious out of the encounter. Shortly after, Enniscorthy was restored to their starting back line when Simmons returned to the field and try and get his men back into the game. Enniscorthy held strong and kept the visitors at bay and were happy to here the whistle blow for the end of the 1st half.
Donal Doyle rallied his side as he tried to get them to re-focus on the game. His side started the second half a lot stronger than they had been in the first. The midfield partnership of Medcalf and Chapman brothers, Glenn and Roy and midfield substitute Jason Rothwell were getting more time on the ball and pushing forward and feeding the attackers Jowett, Maguire and Liukimas along with attacking substitute Durnan. On a number of occasions they came agonisingly close to reducing the gap but no matter how hard they tried the Wicklow defence wanted to keep a clean sheet. Wicklow were awarded a number of short corners but the determined short corner defence of the home side were very quick at clearing the danger. With just 10 minutes to go and the Slaneysiders throwing everything at it Doyle pull off a defender and adding an extra man upfront in to aid their search for a goal. Enniscorthy themselves were awarded a number of shorts but it wasn’t until the very last short corner and in fact the last play of the game when any score resulted. Enniscorthy put everyone up for it, just leaving ‘keeper Hill in their half of the pitch. A ball to the top was slipped right to Liukimas who pushed the ball passed the charging defence of Wicklow who could do nothing to stop the powerful shot. It finished 2-1 with all three points going back to Wicklow. Enniscorthy have a lot to take from the game and will learn from this experience and hope that this can help them go to Clontarf next Saturday and come home with a win and most importantly a strong performance.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; Andrew Rothwell; David Simmons; Martyn Vietch; Ivan Rothwell; Daithi Medcalf; Glenn Chapman; Roy Chapman; Liam Jowett; Edmundas Liukimas; William Durnan; Niall Maguire; Jason Rothwell. Coach: Donal Doyle. Manager: Fraser Rothwell.
