Goals from Niall Maguire, Glenn Chapman, and Jason Rothwell gave Enniscorthy Hockey Club's men a 3-1 win over Corinthians IV in a sometime fractious encounter at Whitechurch Park on Saturday.
After two close- fought encounters earlier in the season- both won by Enniscorthy- the Slaneysiders were prepared for a challenging time, and so it proved. The visitors started the brighter, with Niall Maguire and Jason Rothwell tricky customers for the Corinthians de- fence. The physicality of Liukimas was also adding to the difficulties for the Reds. The hosts were dangerous on the counter, and Andrew Rothwell and Costello, working on either side of defence, were forced to scramble back on a number of occasions to disrupt a lively Corinthians attack.
After a first quarter dominated by Enniscorthy, Corinthians began to force their way into the game, creating a short corner which was, however, easily dealt with by the Wexford back four. Shortly after, Niall Maguire put Enniscorthy one up after a cross from Jason Rothwell following a strong run down the right wing by the latter. Despite this lead at half time, manager Fraser Rothwell was unhappy with the performance of his troops in the first period.
There had been a simmering undercurrent of tension throughout the first half, and as the second progressed these tensions surfaced on a number of occasions. Both sides were guilty of an overly- physical approach on occasion, and Enniscorthy were particularly unhappy after Glenn Chapman was the victim of a flying Corinthian's stick, and a free was awarded to the hosts. The resulting play saw the Reds send a high ball into the Enniscorthy semi-circle; hesitation by 'keeper John Casey and Costello allowed Corinthians to equalise.
This was a nervous period for both teams, but it was Enniscorthy who were able to get on top. After a quiet first half, Jonathon Rothwell was able to find space on the left side of mid- field and made several penetrating runs deep into the Corinthians half. Having swapped with Roy Chapman into midfield, Clive Rothwell moved back to defence, and with Ó Suilleabháin ably marshalling, the Enniscorthy back four stood firm. The crucial second came courtesy of Glenn Chapman, somehow connecting using a flying leap with the ball as it was flying inexorably wide of the Corinthians goal. The home side worked hard worked hard to win a second equaliser, and Enniscorthy defended desperately all over the pitch. Their efforts were helped when Corinthians went a man down, and Jason Rothwell sealed the points following a short corner. The hosts battled to the end, but Enniscorthy held out for an excellent win against quality opposition.
Squad: John Casey; Andrew Rothwell; Cathal Ó Suilleabháin; Clive Rothwell; Kieran Costello; Jonathon Rothwell; Roy Chapman; Glenn Chapman; Jason Rothwell; Edmundas Liukimas; Niall Maguire; Robbie Walshe; Rory Maguire; Seamus McAllister; P.J. Pierce
After two close- fought encounters earlier in the season- both won by Enniscorthy- the Slaneysiders were prepared for a challenging time, and so it proved. The visitors started the brighter, with Niall Maguire and Jason Rothwell tricky customers for the Corinthians de- fence. The physicality of Liukimas was also adding to the difficulties for the Reds. The hosts were dangerous on the counter, and Andrew Rothwell and Costello, working on either side of defence, were forced to scramble back on a number of occasions to disrupt a lively Corinthians attack.
After a first quarter dominated by Enniscorthy, Corinthians began to force their way into the game, creating a short corner which was, however, easily dealt with by the Wexford back four. Shortly after, Niall Maguire put Enniscorthy one up after a cross from Jason Rothwell following a strong run down the right wing by the latter. Despite this lead at half time, manager Fraser Rothwell was unhappy with the performance of his troops in the first period.
There had been a simmering undercurrent of tension throughout the first half, and as the second progressed these tensions surfaced on a number of occasions. Both sides were guilty of an overly- physical approach on occasion, and Enniscorthy were particularly unhappy after Glenn Chapman was the victim of a flying Corinthian's stick, and a free was awarded to the hosts. The resulting play saw the Reds send a high ball into the Enniscorthy semi-circle; hesitation by 'keeper John Casey and Costello allowed Corinthians to equalise.
This was a nervous period for both teams, but it was Enniscorthy who were able to get on top. After a quiet first half, Jonathon Rothwell was able to find space on the left side of mid- field and made several penetrating runs deep into the Corinthians half. Having swapped with Roy Chapman into midfield, Clive Rothwell moved back to defence, and with Ó Suilleabháin ably marshalling, the Enniscorthy back four stood firm. The crucial second came courtesy of Glenn Chapman, somehow connecting using a flying leap with the ball as it was flying inexorably wide of the Corinthians goal. The home side worked hard worked hard to win a second equaliser, and Enniscorthy defended desperately all over the pitch. Their efforts were helped when Corinthians went a man down, and Jason Rothwell sealed the points following a short corner. The hosts battled to the end, but Enniscorthy held out for an excellent win against quality opposition.
Squad: John Casey; Andrew Rothwell; Cathal Ó Suilleabháin; Clive Rothwell; Kieran Costello; Jonathon Rothwell; Roy Chapman; Glenn Chapman; Jason Rothwell; Edmundas Liukimas; Niall Maguire; Robbie Walshe; Rory Maguire; Seamus McAllister; P.J. Pierce
