After a horror few weeks, Altona Hockey Club’s State League One side earned a point from their clash with Mentone on Saturday at home. Given their lowly ladder position, Mentone went into the match as outsiders, but Altona were not taking them lightly, given their extremely potent forward line. Altona had a massive scare in the second half, going behind 3-1 at one stage, but managed to score twice to equalise and escape with a draw.
Altona started with all the play and had many early chances, but were unable to score. It took young drag flicker, Chris Coleman, converting a penalty corner, to get the A’s on the board. Despite dominating the first half, the A’s went into the break with only a 1-0 lead, meaning Mentone certainly weren’t out of it.
A different Altona came out after the break, with the errors and turnovers that had cost them dearly in recent weeks reappearing. Two turnovers out of defence resulted in quick counter attacks from Mentone, and suddenly they were 2-1 up early in the second half. A third goal followed, again on the counter attack, and Altona were staring down the barrel of an embarrassing loss against a Club that had only won once in 2012, and were only playing their tenth State League One match. Altona rallied, with Captain Stevie Campbell pouncing on a loose ball after a break down of a penalty corner, calmly slotting the ball in the net to give the A’s some chance. Altona had all the running now, and were attacking with purpose. Jesse Gatt and Mick Gallo were combining well, with the pacey Pat Phillips causing issues for the Mentone defenders. Chris Coleman successfully converted another drag flick on a penalty corner, and the A’s were able to hold on for a face-saving 3-3 draw.
“That was a match that we needed to win to stay in touch for finals. This has definitely made it more difficult for us. We needed to take those early chances and convert them, which would have taken the sting out of the match, and put it beyond them. We need to get rid of the turnovers and errors in defence. We have a lot of work to do.” Said Co-Coach Greg Drake.
Altona take on competition heavy weight Waverley away next Saturday
Altona 3 drew with Mentone 3
Goals: Chris Coleman 2, Steve Campbell 1