St Albans Hockey Club’s first teams each recovered from conceding early goals to record emphatic victories at Oaklands on Saturday.
The ladies blew away Ipswich with five second-half goals after trailing 1-0 at half-time.
Storming into gear after the interval, St Albans equalised when a Tash Humphris right-wing overload released Lottie Porter on the far corner.
A well-worked penalty corner saw Porter cleverly deflect an Amy Kee shot to bag a second. Player of the match Holly Parsons scored a neatly-worked third, before Ellie Watton and Emma O’Nien completed the rout.
The men’s team ran out 4-1 winners against Wisbech after conceding early on. They hit back striking through a Matt Davey penalty corner after a dazzling circle penetration from John Mould.
The home team’s high press forced a turnover from which Luke Samarasinghe outfoxed the Wisbech keeper to give them a 2-1 half-time lead.
The second half saw midfield ill-discipline from St Albans lead to two yellow card suspensions, but Wisbech were unable to capitalise on the temporary two-player advantage.
The home side finished strongly, with another Davey penalty corner goal, before principal tormenter Samarasinghe smashed a late shot to which Adam Jones cheekily got the last touch.
Earlier on the same pitch, the St Albans men’s Emperors team (Over-40s) had achieved the same feat – recovering from an early 1-0 deficit to run out emphatic 4-1 winners against Hampstead and Westminster Vets.
This Saturday sees the St Albans men visit Wapping and the ladies travel to Sevenoaks.
On Monday evening at 7.30pm the club hosts a special coaches development evening when guest David Ralph, England and Great Britain hockey men’s assistant coach, will speak about player decision making.
Entry is £5 to all non-members of St Albans HC and the event is open to sports players and coaches from all clubs and sports.
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