NE14 Hockey East Men’s Division

Division 2N

FOLLOWING a demoralising defeat away to Ely the previous week, IES welcomed Bourne to the Copleston Centre. The Lincolnshire side, relegated from Division One last season, had not had a particularly good start to the season and were, like IES, looking to grab three points to kick their season off with aplomb.

With a near full squad, IES made good progress in the first 15 minutes by peppering the Bourne goal with attacks and shots, but to no avail. It was the visitors who took the early advantage, however, as a well worked penalty corner was dragged to the left post and deflected in past Howe on the line. IES rallied and their attacking prowess soon paid off as an aerial ball by Farrow into the D was spanked in by Tingey for 1-1. It remained, somehow, at this score until the second half. Bourne again took the lead through a deft touch from their forward, although it appeared as though the ball had come off keeper Lane’s pads not a stick. A green card ensued for the keeper for his arguments, one of several in a temperamental game.

IES again battled back and young forward Sam Oakley scored his first of the season with a back post shot to level it up. IES were then in the ascendancy, and Tingey, who made a nuisance of himself all game, scored another fine goal to make it 3-2. Bourne won several penalty corners but some stout defending kept IES in the lead before the Bourne keeper blatantly took Tingey out. Skipper Kevyn Brown stepped up for the resulting penalty stroke and made it 4-2.

IES man of the match was James Klug for his energy and committment. The team travels to Market Deeping next weekend for a must win game.

IES Squad: Lane (GK), Brown, Coulson, Howe, Curtis, Oakley, Page, Sutton, Klug, Jones, Tingey, Kendrick, Farrow.