Enniscorthy Hockey Men's 1st XI faced YMCA at home in the second round of their division 5 Leinster league on Saturday last. The home side started with the push back, which lead to some lovely play up the right hand side of the pitch. The two teams looked even at the start, and onlookers may not have been sure which way the game would go.
Early on, the visitors managed to win a short corner, however defensive efforts by Enniscorthy's Andrew Rothwell and Roy Chapman meant the ball was cleared from the circle and stopped the Dubliner’s attack. Centre midfield Medcalf managed to send numerous balls in the direction of the opposition’s goal, however left wing Durnan was unlucky in his effort to open the scoring for Enniscorthy. After several lovely plays by the Slaneysider midfield players of the Medcalf and the Chapman brothers along with centre back David Simmons. The home side found themselves defending again, when the visitors entered the circle in search of a score to change the still-even scoreboard. Glen Chapman was key in clearing the ball from the danger zone and ensuring the YMCA attack was broken down. The visitors won another short corner halfway through the first half, but the defensive team of Roy Chapman, Glenn Chapman, Simmons, Andrew Rothwell and keeper Hill stopped them in their tracks.
More excellent play from the Slaneysider’s saw them entering the opposition’s circle, where a pass from John McWey from the right met centre forward Luikimas, who slotted the ball past the YMCA keeper. Minutes before the half-time whistle blew, excellent play saw a ball come into the circle from the left, and a determined Jacob English hit the backboard following a rebound from the keeper.
The second half started 2-0, and while the home side were content with the score, they never gave up with strong runs down the right from Ciaran O’Leary keeping the visitors on their toes. The Dublin side were awarded numerous short corners as they went in search of their first goal, but the Enniscorthy defence were strong and did not let any of these result in a score for the visitors. Hard work from young William Durnan in left wing paid off halfway through the second half, when he received a ball into the right post. Durnan deflected a pass from Glenn Chapman and it sailed past the visiting keeper into the back of the net.
YMCA captain at the final whistle noted the excellent defence of Enniscorthy, which consisted of PJ Pierce, Ivan Rothwell, Simmons, Andrew Rothwell and keeper Graham Hill, who along with the entire team persistent in their efforts to keep a clean sheet.
Next up for the men is Glenanne, when they travel to Dublin this coming Saturday.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; Andrew Rothwell; David Simmons; PJ Pierce; Ivan Rothwell; Daithi Medcalf; Glenn Chapman; Roy Chapman; John McWey; Edmundas Luikimas; William Durnan; Ciaran O'Leary; Jacob English.
Coach: Donal Doyle; Manager: Fraser Rothwell.
Early on, the visitors managed to win a short corner, however defensive efforts by Enniscorthy's Andrew Rothwell and Roy Chapman meant the ball was cleared from the circle and stopped the Dubliner’s attack. Centre midfield Medcalf managed to send numerous balls in the direction of the opposition’s goal, however left wing Durnan was unlucky in his effort to open the scoring for Enniscorthy. After several lovely plays by the Slaneysider midfield players of the Medcalf and the Chapman brothers along with centre back David Simmons. The home side found themselves defending again, when the visitors entered the circle in search of a score to change the still-even scoreboard. Glen Chapman was key in clearing the ball from the danger zone and ensuring the YMCA attack was broken down. The visitors won another short corner halfway through the first half, but the defensive team of Roy Chapman, Glenn Chapman, Simmons, Andrew Rothwell and keeper Hill stopped them in their tracks.
More excellent play from the Slaneysider’s saw them entering the opposition’s circle, where a pass from John McWey from the right met centre forward Luikimas, who slotted the ball past the YMCA keeper. Minutes before the half-time whistle blew, excellent play saw a ball come into the circle from the left, and a determined Jacob English hit the backboard following a rebound from the keeper.
The second half started 2-0, and while the home side were content with the score, they never gave up with strong runs down the right from Ciaran O’Leary keeping the visitors on their toes. The Dublin side were awarded numerous short corners as they went in search of their first goal, but the Enniscorthy defence were strong and did not let any of these result in a score for the visitors. Hard work from young William Durnan in left wing paid off halfway through the second half, when he received a ball into the right post. Durnan deflected a pass from Glenn Chapman and it sailed past the visiting keeper into the back of the net.
YMCA captain at the final whistle noted the excellent defence of Enniscorthy, which consisted of PJ Pierce, Ivan Rothwell, Simmons, Andrew Rothwell and keeper Graham Hill, who along with the entire team persistent in their efforts to keep a clean sheet.
Next up for the men is Glenanne, when they travel to Dublin this coming Saturday.
Enniscorthy Squad: Graham Hill; Andrew Rothwell; David Simmons; PJ Pierce; Ivan Rothwell; Daithi Medcalf; Glenn Chapman; Roy Chapman; John McWey; Edmundas Luikimas; William Durnan; Ciaran O'Leary; Jacob English.
Coach: Donal Doyle; Manager: Fraser Rothwell.
