NE14Hockey Men’s East League

Division 2N

IES travelled to the famous university city for the first game of a new campaign in Division 2N. With a squad depleted by unavailability and injuries, IES took just 12 and included four players under 17 plus welcomed back keeper Lane after a year with Bury and new signing Paul Kendrick.

On a blustery day at the Wilberforce Road ground, IES started well and took their lion’s share of the play in the first period, forcing a couple of saves from the University keeper. Youngsters Page and Sutton showed good skills and a hunger to attack the opposition. At the other end, the back four of Farrow, Howe, Coulson and Curtis kept most attacks at bay, only conceding a couple of penalty corners which the home side wasted. The first half was not the most memorable game of hockey and both sides took heart at the even result at half time.

The second half, however, proved a little more spicy, although it heeded only one goal. Kendrick was harshly adjudged to have deliberately stick tackled a University player and sat out 10 minutes following a yellow card, but IES defended well and deep with only 10 men. Once Kendrick returned IES fell behind thanks to a mix up pass and a mis-hit shot ballooned over Lane into the goal. Shortly afterwards left back Curtis was yellow carded and sat out ten minutes for a late and wrong side stick tackle, but the resulting penalty corner was again wasted by the students. IES had a last minute penalty corner chance but Howe’s shot deflected over and the game was over.

IES face Spalding HC at the Copleston Centre on Saturday.

Squad: Lane (GK), Howe, Coulson, Brown (Captain), Curtis, Farrow, Kendrick, Sutton, Page, Tingey, Pettit and Oakley.