Exciting hockey action over the weekend

Last Saturday and Sunday, The 2020 Barbados Hockey Federation Knockout Cup continued with a number of exciting encounters with wins for YMCA, Deacons, All Stars, and Combermere School Old Scholars (CSOS).

In the first men’s match on Saturday, a well-prepared and fully manned BUT squad failed to take advantage of the tardiness of their opponents, having been awarded two penalty goals against the YMCA early in the match.

After narrowly avoiding a default loss, the ‘Y’ managed the minimum squad number just seconds prior to the 15-minute grace period and seemed to struggle to overcome their deficit, with the halftime score at 2-1 after Timothy Parris ended a run with a brilliant goal, one minute from half.

The ‘Y’ found their rhythm, while BUT seemed to lose steam. The YMCA went on to score five more through Darian Bailey in the 38’, Zachary Parris in the 40’, a double from Akeem Douglas from two penalty corners in the 45’ and 55’ and a one on the buzzer from Ramal Williams in the 60’.

In the second men’s match of the day, Deacons overcame a mediocre-looking UWI Blackbirds by one goal. Playing without noted strikers Akeem Rudder and Shaile Babb, the Blackbirds looked like a shadow of their 2019 selves while a determined Deacons held firm, defended well, and pressed hard. Deacons were awarded in the 40th when national penalty corner taker Neil Franklin eased one low-left to put his side up by one goal, which was enough for the win to take Deacons into the next winners round. Rudder left the island on Wednesday for the UK, to compete with Timperley Hockey Club in England’s Men’s North Conference and will be unavailable to the Blackbirds until next April.

In the weekend’s masters’ action, All Stars defeated Maple Club 2-1. All Stars capitalized on their penalty corner opportunities, scoring in the 16th and 43rd through Damien Downes and Brian Burrowes respectively. Trent’s veteran Venslough Leacock put his team on even terms in the 27th with a hallmark finish, but after Burrowes’ goal in the 43rd, Trent’s side did not find a reply.

On Sunday, All Stars made the most of their loans from Empire Club, with noted Bank Hall players Joel Bodkin and Laurando Davis making an impact on debut. A goal-filled first quarter got underway after a defensive blunder by All Stars captain and central defender Marlon Daniel, followed by a strap by Stars’ custodian Hilroy Stoute, gave CSOS’ Shavon Goddard an opportune open goal where he made no mistake in 5th. Stars quickly bounced back in the 6th via Bodkin, rattling an unsettled CSOS defence.

Dave Cox resumed the lead for CSOS in the 10th from a penalty corner strike that gently found its way in. Once again Stars responded this time through Dario Jordan with a textbook deflection that beat CSOS goalkeeper Clint Small. Small looked even smaller in the 35th when Stars’ Davis capitalized on a CSOS midfield blunder and beat Small outside his left foot from a low percentage right side angle to give Stars their first lead of the game at All Stars 3, CSOS 2 going into the last quarter. All Stars would seal the deal in the 51st, when Damien Downes beat a struggling Small through his legs in the middle of the goal, giving All Stars the 4-2 win.

Both sides had one goal each disallowed from umpires Jamar Lashley and Neil Franklin. Downes from All Stars and Gregory Williams from CSOS were most unfortunate in having their goals overturned, but all things being equal, they would not have affected the result.

The player ‘loans’ from Empire Club to All Stars came as a result of the Bank Hall club’s decision not to participate in any hockey tournaments until 2021.

  In the final match of the weekend, CSOS’ ladies overcame a determined BUT 2-0 to claim an additional 3 points and a spot at the top of the table. Also benefiting from Empire’s absence, BUT featured Bank Hall’s national forward Aleina Stanford, however it wouldn’t be enough to overcome an early rush goal from CSOS’ Reiann Stoute in the 4th and an absolute ripper from the left side from CSOS’ Cher King in the 58th. BUT did create many chances throughout, but just failed to convert over the course of the match.       

Play continues this Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Wildey Hockey Turf.
(KH)