NE14 Hockey East Men’s League

Division 2N

HEADING to the wilds of the fens is never fun, but IES made full advantage of their first trip of many this season with a resounding win at the day’s early league leaders, Market Deeping.

With injuries to Sutton and Page, and unavailability from Cole and Jones, IES drafted in Nick Aveling from the 2nd XI for his first start of the season and had coach Jason Pettitt lined up at right back to make up an 11. Starting late due to lack of one umpire, IES’ usual away tactic of half court press was meant to be in place for the first ten minutes but the visitors took the early advantage through forward Jon Tingey, who was a handful for the home defence all game.

He swept into the left side of the D and without anywhere to go fired a reverse stick shot past the hapless Deeping keeper. IES then struck a blow, literally, which in the end was the difference between the sides. Howe dispatched a penalty corner shot towards goal but a wicked deflection from a defender’s foot found his team mate’s mouth and after lengthy treatment he had to go off, leaving the Lincolnshire side with only 10.

This, however, did not deter them from open and fast flowing hockey, and the home side drew level from a penalty corner from which they had way too much time to shoot from. IES were shocked but not down and took the lead again through skipper Brown who slapped in a penalty corner pass for 2-1.

IES led at half time, but the home side were never down and out of the game despite their lack of one player. Some interesting decisions from the umpires led to several penalty corners but Lane and his defence kept them at bay. Meanwhile, IES peppered the Deeping goal and eventually added another through Steven Farrow who was playing a more advanced role. The ball fell to the normal right back and he smashed into the net for 3-1. Tingey again scored to make it 4-1 with a near post shot before he was fouled mid shot by the Deeping keeper. Left back Luke Curtis stepped up to the spot and dispatched the resulting penalty stroke before Deeping scored a soft consolation from a penalty corner.

IES took their first points on the road this season and will look to make it three wins out of three at home to Harleston Magpies this weekend.

Man of the Match was Jon Tingey.