Devizes Hockey Club

The Marauding Moonrakers - Sponsored by Wadworth

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Devizes Mens Firsts v. Whitchurch A 4-1

Saturday December 05 2009

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Devizes 4 - 1 Whitchurch A

Wadworth 6X Sponsored Devizes first team were this week playing at home against Welsh side Whitchurch. Following their positive start to the season, Whitchurch have struggled in recent weeks and have begun to drop down the league table. With this is mind it was a game Devizes were expected to win if they were to stay in third position in the league.

The game started in an explosive fashion as Devizes took the lead within the first few minutes. The intent was clear to see and the visitors could not cope with the speed of hockey and the home sides determination to win every ball. It was goal predator Jack Betenson who was first to get his name on the score sheet. The team's joint top scorer got himself in the right position to pounce first and slot the ball home from close range following some sloppy defending from Whitchurch.

The game slowed slightly as the first half progressed, although Devizes created numerous scoring opportunities. To Whitchurch's credit, they slowly began to break Devizes down. After soaking up lengthy periods of pressure and getting lucky in their D on numerous occasions they had the determination to keep fighting and were rewarded for their efforts towards the end of the half. Devizes seemed to get caught on the back foot after having an attack broken down and this resulted in the visitors pulling the scores level.

Devizes went into the interval with it all to do in the second half. After a stern talking to from player coach Andy Richardson the home side started the second half similar to the first and were looking by far the stronger team. From here onwards however, unlike in the first half they never looked as if they would lose their concentration or momentum. Within the first five minutes of the second half Richardson was to lead by example and with quick speed of thought he was to convert from a rare appearance in the oppositions D, snapping up on a lose ball, which left the keeper with no chance.

At 2-1 up Devizes were cruising and continued to look dangerous on the break, particularly down the flanks. With the speed of "lightning" Jim Tyler and winger Ollie Smith regularly stretching their legs, the visitors were beginning to struggle.

Devizes third goal came from their other joint top scorer Zion Akonga. However unusually for him it was not from open play. With the absence of drag flick expert Owen Alsop through injury, Zion fancied filling the gap and having a go himself, following the award of a penalty corner midway through the second half. Zion's clinically precise drag ‘tickle' found its way into the far corner of the goal.

Devizes sealed the win with a fourth goal ten minutes from the final whistle. It was Sam Gaigers turn to get on the score sheet with a well-deserved goal from quick turn and crisp strike from the top of the D, which left the keeper routed to the spot.

This was a positive performance for Devizes following the last two weeks disappointing results. The side will now gain the confidence knowing they can still play better and take it into next week's massive fixture against the leagues top side; Exeter Uni.

This week the Wadworth 6X Man of the Match award goes to Sam Gaiger for a solid energetic performance all over the park.