Former Bann Stars continue to inspire Fourth Eleven revival
After last weeks emphatic win over Belfast Harlequins the 4XI lined up against Annadale this week, full of confidence and ready to go. The team welcomed back veteran Rory ‘Scout’ Madeley to the side after his long sabbatical in the wilderness, hoping his sharp skills and deadly finishing would add a new dynamic to the team and beef up the goal tally (if his hamstrings could hold together)
Bann set the early pace with some superb passing around the midfield and some excellent forward movement, keeping possession and threatening the goal from set pieces and some great running down the wing from Joe Mcknight and John McCauge, the latter having a superb goal disallowed after some shocking umpiring from team captain Matthew Clarke.
Against the run of play Annadale converted a penalty corner, knocking the wind out of the Bann sails and causing a tactical rethink. This season the 4XI have not done well when losing out to a first half goal but it was obvious that having overturned a 2 goal deficit the week before that the confidence that if we just stuck to simple ‘red shirt’ hockey that our forwards had the ability to get the goals and win the game! It wasn’t long before Bann settled back into the rhythm and Joe McKnight continued his terrific goal scoring form by roasting half the D from a short corner and flicking low past the keeper.
Joe made it 2-1 minutes later from a free in on the dashed line, again the experienced played took advantage of his new knowledge and ‘auto passed’ running directly into the D leaving three Annadale defenders in his wake and firing home!
Knowing how crucial the next goal was calm heads were called for, ‘nothing silly’ was screamed from 4XI nutcase Raymond Pollock at the back. His bad knock to the head last week obviously not affecting his motivational skills. It became slightly less worrying when some great passing down the right hand side released young Robbie Scott, who in only his 2nd ever senior game had the composure to beat the last defender and send a great shot into the bottom left hand corner.
3-1 the match finished with another stand out performance from Joe McKnight, Joe is unavailable this week so the 4XI forwards will have to buck up their ideas in order to take the points when local rivals Armagh visit Havelock on Friday night. Pass Back at 7:30pm and all supporters are very welcome! Another few wins an Junior three hockey will be secured for another year. #UTB