MEN’S AHG PREMIER LEAGUE HOCKEY – ROUND 7
HALE V FREMANTLE
On Friday evening it was a case of fourth placed Fremantle against a Hale side languishing in ninth place. Fremantle needed to win to put the disappointment of their loss to Melville behind them. For Hale a win could put their stuttering defence of their title back on track.
The game started brightly enough for Hale. In the first minutes of the games Hale’s Scott Hughes from centerfield found Michael Ferguson wide on the right. Ferguson took the ball deep to the back line getting away his cross only to see it pass untouched across the face of goal.
Moments later a Chris Lawson side line free hit into the Fremantle circle struck a defender’s foot to give Hale the first penalty corner of the game.
The attempt saw a variation go to Scott Hughes whose shot on goal was well saved by Jono Ellis and the ball went over for a long corner.
Hale continued to enjoy the ascendency as Fremantle were forced to rely on the defensive skills of captain Mark Nicholls and Darryl McCormick. For Hale , Justin Knapp, Chris Lawson, Scott Hughes, Kit Tapper & Kane Greenaway were active and Tom Cleghorn with Greg Young were a constant attacking threat.
Although Hale held sway Fremantle did mount a number of threatening attacks with a partly intercepted cross from Andrew Hawson falling to Paul Nicholls forcing Hale to defend desperately and Tim Boteler made a penetrating run that resulted in several shots but no score. Despite this Hale clearly had the better of the play.
Eventually the pressure had to tell and in the ninth minute veteran Fremantle defender Darryl McCorrmick elected to run the ball out of defence. He was gang tackled by Hale’s Tom Cleghorn, Scott Hughes and Michael Ferguson who won possession for their side. The ball was whipped across the “d” to Kane Greenaway who shot from about 12 metres. Although saved the rebound fell to Greg Young who converted from close range on a tight angle and under pressure. Hale now had the advantage of the opening goal and a reward for their endeavour.
Hale continued to press and nearly doubled their lead a minute later but were denied by a goal line save by Mark Ellis. Minutes later Scott Hughes got a fine “Tomma” away that needed a good save. Then a hard cross from the left was not trapped by the Fremantle defence and the ball fell to Tom Cleghorn at close range but the Fremantle ‘keeper was able to deny him and the score remained unchanged.
Steadily Fremantle started to work their way back into the game aided by increased output from Phil Marshall, and Jesse Dowsing. Duncan Pearce started to find more of the ball and the injection of Dan McLay add to Fremantle’s balance.
Seven minutes after Hale scored the port side struck back. Marshall won his side a free near the half line. Pearce quickly pounced on the loose ball and ran hard at the centre of the Hale defence. Nearing the top of the Hale “D’’ he had options either side. He chose left and Charlie Clifton shot from near the top. Goalkeeper Ross Meadows did well to get some pad on the ball but it was not enough. Scores were levelled and the Magpies were back in it.
This goal seemed to give the port side more confidence. They upped their intensity and started to force Hale back. Jesse Dowsing was giving Fremantle options on the right and eventually this led to a Duncan Pearce cross winning his side their first penalty corner of the match but they were unable to convert the opportunity onto the scoreboard.
Then in the 27th minute the game changed dramatically in Fremantle’s favour. Captain Mark Nicholls’ long clearance found Tim Boteler on the half line. He trapped & turned his man and ran at the defence down the right. Drawing three defenders he slipped the ball through to Chris Metcalf just inside the “D”. Metcalf unselfishly short passed left to Charlie Clifton near the penalty spot. Clifton’s skilfully reverse stick chipped to beat the Hale ‘keeper.
In the same minute things got worse for the reigning premiers. Duncan Pearce (now exerting a significant influence on the game) won the ball deep in his own half from the restart. Again he ran hard forward releasing a well-timed pass near the attacking 25 to Tim Boteler who penetrated the D. From near the baseline Boteler tried to slip the ball across to an unmarked Charlie Clifton on the left post. Desperate Hale defence denied this but the ball fell to Pearce who had continued to run hard. A bouncing ball was no impediment and he got his shot away to score. A deserved reward for his hard work. Fremantle now led 3-1.
Fremantle now started to dominate play and Hale’s attacks were mainly speculative long balls into the “D” or reliant upon Tom Cleghorn’s strength and ball carrying ability. This did lead to a chance for Kit Tapper to score late in the half but he shot wide and half time came with Fremantle holding a two goal lead.
The second half started as the first had finished although a brilliant diving reverse stick pass deep in his own half by Scott Hughes found Tom Cleghorn. Unfortunately for Hale Cleghorn was one out against three defenders & Fremantle were easily able to clear the ball.
Moments later Fremantle were attacking through the agency of Jesse Dowsing. This resulted in consecutive shots from Andrew Hawson & Paul Nicholls that although well saved by the Hale custodian saw a break in play as he was injured. Fortunately the harm was not great and Ross Meadows was able to continue after a short time out.
In the 39th minute Fremantle got their fourth. Perhaps the way the goal was scored was indicative of how the two teams were playing at that stage. Hale played a hopeful high ball forward. This was easily dealt with by the Fremantle defence. A series of passes saw a hard running Duncan Pearce in possession and quickly dish the ball off to Phil Marshall. Who then feigned to give the return pass. Having wrong footed the defence he ran hard with ball to the top of the “D”. He passed to Andrew Hawson who received the ball back to goal about seven metres out and on the ‘keepers left. Ross Meadows had to commit to him. Hawson, under pressure, turned & laid the ball across the goal where a delighted Tim Boteler was only too happy to score from close range.
To Hale’s credit they fought back and started to enjoy a period of ascendency with Justin Knapp, Kane Greenaway and Chris Lawson prominent but for all this actual goal scoring opportunities were limited with the best falling to Tom Cleghorn who received the ball from Kit Tapper at the top of the “D” but his a powerful shot that just missed to the right..
However, after a time Fremantle regained control and pressed for a fifth goal. After a number of chances, this duly came in the 45th minute. Unsurprisingly Duncan Pearce was involved. Having won the ball in defence he powered forward passing to Andrew Hawson on the right. Hawson carried the ball into the “D” and his pass /shot was deflected into the goal to give the port side an unassailable four goal lead.
With the game over as a contest Hale sought to add respectability to the score and in the 68th minute were rewarded. They won a penalty corner and the resultant shot from Scott Hughes struck a defender on the line and a penalty stroke was awarded. It was converted by Hughes and was the last score of the game.
Match Statistics
Fremantle 5
Charlie Clifton 2 (FG 16 & 27m)
Duncan Pearce 1 (FG 27m)
Tim Boteler 1 (FG 39m)
Andrew Hawson 1 (FG 45m)
Hale 2
Greg Young 1 (FG 9m)
Scott Hughes 1 (PS 68m)
Report by Peter Boteler
