Altona Hockey Club’s Mens Premier League side continued their stellar star to the season with a sixth straight win over Essendon on Saturday.
The A’s had a strong start, dominating possession early, probing several times into the Essendon defence, testing their ‘keeper. Altona got the first on the scoreboard, with Neils de Jong slotting a penalty corner flick, low into the corner of the net.
Altona continued to move the ball well around the pitch, but did make some poor decisions, which ended up with Essendon turning the ball over and creating scoring opportunities. Just before half time, they converted a penalty corner, to even the score at 1-1 at the break.
Esssendon came out firing after the break, with their forwards creating immense pressure on the Altona defence. Their half backs over lapped into the offensive half, and if it wasn’t for another cracking game from goalkeeper, Tom Pinnegar, the score may have been in Essendon’s favour.
Altona had multiple opportunities to score via penalty corners, but the Essendon keeper, a former Altona player, kept them out. With about ten minutes to go, defender Chris Coleman drag flicked a goal into the top left of the net, to take the lead 2-1.
Altona immediately went into conservation mode, trying to hold possession and move the ball around their defence. This actually created more opportunities to score, and if it wasn’t for a few missed opportunities, the win may have been by a few goals, rather than one.
Coach Ben Guy was pleased with the hard fought win: “It wasn’t as pretty as a few other wins we’ve had this year, but we remain undefeated and on track to achieve our internal targets. The competition is close, so we expect to find ourselves in a number of close contests, and it was great the boys were able to knuckle down and win this one.”
Midfielder Harry Dolenc and international Matthew Guest joined goal keeper Pinnegar as the best on ground.
Altona 2 defeated Essendon 1
Goals: Neils de Jong, Chris Coleman
Altona’s Womens Premier League side had enjoyed an unexpected run of form recently, so were looking forward to the challenge against Essendon Ladies Hockey Club, always a tough opposition. After getting belted last year by the Bombers, the Seagulls were keen to atone, and came out firing.
Danielle Schubach, superstar international midfielder, was dominating early. She was well supported by Centre Half Bronte Kerley. Altona got on the board first, with a cross from Schubach converted by goal sneak Phoebe Rothfield. Just before half time, Essendon managed to find the back of the net, to go into the break 1-1.
Altona’s structure in the second half was sound, and they controlled much of the possession. Essendon, however, took their chances, and managed to score two scrappy goals, to run out victors 3-1.
Captain Steph Sarantis was disappointed after the match “While it was great to really push a side that has been consistently at the top of this competition, it was disappointing that we didn’t come out with at least a point. We really played well, and it was pleasing to see us stick to our game plan through out the match, but we need to take advantage of our opportunities, like they did, if we are going to win games in this competition.”
Altona lost to Essendon 1-3
Goal: Phoebe Rothfield