Devizes Hockey Club

The Marauding Moonrakers - Sponsored by Wadworth

In action!
DHC : Nunquam non paratus

Devizes Mens Firsts v. Firebrands 2-2

Saturday January 16 2010

Back

Devizes 2 - 2 Firebrands

Wadworth 6X sponsored Devizes first team faced Bristol side Firebrands at home this week, after a lengthy Xmas break. Due to the recent weather conditions, neither side could train in preparation for this game so it would prove to be a real test for both sides.

The game started well for Devizes, who dominated the first twenty minutes, having lengthy periods of possession. Firebrands struggled to get the ball from the home side but to their credit, Devizes could not break through the visitors back line. As the half went on it was clear Devizes were getting frustrated which let to Brands looking dangerous on the counter attack.

A quick break from Brands from a lengthy aerial from their back line caught Devizes on the back foot and led to some panicky defending. This resulted in the visitors winning a penalty corner. In a slightly controversial manner the corner was converted from a rising strike, which saw Rheinburg in the Devizes goal deflect the ball into the net from a waist height parry.

With five minutes to go until the interval, Firebrands doubled their lead from another counter attack. After some fine goalkeeping from Rheinburg, following a well -executed strike from the top of the D, the ball rebounded off his body and into his pads. About three seconds later the ball unfortunately bounced out of the pads behind him to leave the striker with an easy one-yard finish into an open goal.

Devizes entered the interval with it all to do. At this point the score line did not reflect the possession and attractive hockey Devizes had played in the first half. Devizes deserved something more out of the game and they went into the second half with this in mind. The half started quickly and the home side looked dangerous from the off. Within five minutes of the half, the battling in the midfield, and the clear intent to win from both sides led to some messy periods of play resulting in numerous Devizes players being sent to the sidelines with yellow cards. With only nine players on the pitch it seemed like mission impossible to get something from the game, but the attitude of the remaining players was superb and they continued to press. With centre back Richardson pushing up, Devizes had nothing to lose and continued to press.

The home side were rewarded for their efforts with twenty minutes to go. A superbly well -executed drag flick slip dummy from new boy Andrew Macgregor, left the Brands keeper with no chance and saw the home side back in the game.

In the last five minutes of the game, and with Devizes running out of fuel, they were awarded another short corner. This led to Skipper Charlie Rutherford picking up on the lose ball after the initial save and ferociously flicking the ball over the keepers head.

Devizes will be disappointed to only get a point from this game, but with their poor discipline in the second half and only averaging nine players on the park, they will count themselves lucky to get the point.

The positive that must be taken from this is the manner and style of hockey they played when dominating the possession. Devizes will look to build on this and take the points from Isca in two weeks time.

The Wadworth sponsored 6X man of the match this week goes to Jim Tyler for a tireless and extremely solid performance in the Devizes defence.