The Astro Active Centre Enniscorthy was the venue for what was going to be a even and tough game of Hockey, for the 1st XI Men’s teams of Enniscorthy and Suttonians. In the previous encounter with the sides in Dublin a two all draw was the result. Last Saturday was every bit as close but Suttonians took three points back to Dublin as they were victorious over the South East men in a thrilling two goals to one game.
Enniscorthy started strong with a shot on goal on the 5 minute mark but the visitors game goalie was able to deal with the effort. With early stages of the game evenly match with both teams working their way over their opposition 23’s. The first goal of the game cam from a Suttonians after 15 minutes, from an attack down the right hand side that was worked into the Enniscorthy cirlce, goalkeeper Graham Hill was blindsided by his players and say the shot late and was unable to react to the onrushing ball. Suttonians kept the pressure on and gained a short corner shortly after, goalie’ Hill made a beautiful save and along with his defensive runners Roy Chapman, Martyn Veitch, Keith Ogilvie and Clive Rothwell cleared the ball. Enniscorthy knew from the teams previous meeting that they were well capable on getting back into the game and were not worried by the pressure of Suttonians as they knew their time would come. Ten minutes before half time the Dublin side attacked the down the middle with a long ball that made its way to a Suttonians player that skilfully chipped passed Hill and defender Andrew Rothwell could not stretch far enough to steal the ball before the attacker put the ball high into the net. The visitors kept going in search of their third goal but the defence of Ogilvie, Veitch and Clive and Andrew Rothwell along with midfielders David Simmons and the Chapman brothers Roy and Glenn kept them out as they were called upon to clear the danger on a number of occasions. Although Enniscorthy were two goals down they kept going and through Liam Jowett they attacked the visitors goal but a great save from the Suttonians goalie’ kept Enniscorthy out on this occasion.
The second half saw Donal Doyle’s men up their game and force the visitors to defend more. The Slaney Siders gained their first short corner of the half just two minutes into play. Shortly after this unsuccessful short corner, Jowett managed to steal the ball from the opponents hit out, and after excellent linking play with Edmundas Liukimas, managed to slot the ball into the back of the Sutton goal. Forwards Jason Rothwell and John McWey along with the rest of the team worked tirelessly to create chances for the home side. Defenders and keeper Graham Hill managed to fend off the rest of the attacks in the second half. No matter how hard the home side tried for the remainder of the game they were unable to break down the visiting defence leaving the score at 2-1 to the visitors. Enniscorthy can be happy with the effort levels put in by the entire squad but it wasn’t meant to be on this occasion.
Enniscorthy will be back on the road next weekend as they prepare for their next league encounter against YMCA in Dublin this coming Saturday.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; Keith Ogilvie; Clive Rothwell; Martyn Veitch; Andrew Rothwell; Glenn Chapman; Roy Chapman; David Simmons; Liam Jowett; John McWey; Edmundas Liukimas; Jason Rothwell. Coach: Donal Doyle; Manager: Fraser Rothwell
Enniscorthy started strong with a shot on goal on the 5 minute mark but the visitors game goalie was able to deal with the effort. With early stages of the game evenly match with both teams working their way over their opposition 23’s. The first goal of the game cam from a Suttonians after 15 minutes, from an attack down the right hand side that was worked into the Enniscorthy cirlce, goalkeeper Graham Hill was blindsided by his players and say the shot late and was unable to react to the onrushing ball. Suttonians kept the pressure on and gained a short corner shortly after, goalie’ Hill made a beautiful save and along with his defensive runners Roy Chapman, Martyn Veitch, Keith Ogilvie and Clive Rothwell cleared the ball. Enniscorthy knew from the teams previous meeting that they were well capable on getting back into the game and were not worried by the pressure of Suttonians as they knew their time would come. Ten minutes before half time the Dublin side attacked the down the middle with a long ball that made its way to a Suttonians player that skilfully chipped passed Hill and defender Andrew Rothwell could not stretch far enough to steal the ball before the attacker put the ball high into the net. The visitors kept going in search of their third goal but the defence of Ogilvie, Veitch and Clive and Andrew Rothwell along with midfielders David Simmons and the Chapman brothers Roy and Glenn kept them out as they were called upon to clear the danger on a number of occasions. Although Enniscorthy were two goals down they kept going and through Liam Jowett they attacked the visitors goal but a great save from the Suttonians goalie’ kept Enniscorthy out on this occasion.
The second half saw Donal Doyle’s men up their game and force the visitors to defend more. The Slaney Siders gained their first short corner of the half just two minutes into play. Shortly after this unsuccessful short corner, Jowett managed to steal the ball from the opponents hit out, and after excellent linking play with Edmundas Liukimas, managed to slot the ball into the back of the Sutton goal. Forwards Jason Rothwell and John McWey along with the rest of the team worked tirelessly to create chances for the home side. Defenders and keeper Graham Hill managed to fend off the rest of the attacks in the second half. No matter how hard the home side tried for the remainder of the game they were unable to break down the visiting defence leaving the score at 2-1 to the visitors. Enniscorthy can be happy with the effort levels put in by the entire squad but it wasn’t meant to be on this occasion.
Enniscorthy will be back on the road next weekend as they prepare for their next league encounter against YMCA in Dublin this coming Saturday.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; Keith Ogilvie; Clive Rothwell; Martyn Veitch; Andrew Rothwell; Glenn Chapman; Roy Chapman; David Simmons; Liam Jowett; John McWey; Edmundas Liukimas; Jason Rothwell. Coach: Donal Doyle; Manager: Fraser Rothwell
