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4th June 2006
Swansea retain place in Trophy
Continued
from 'home' page...
Saturday 3rd June
Swansea lose out in final pool game
This game against Gintra Siauliai was crucial
to the eventual placings, the winner would play
off for a promotion place - the loser would face
a relegation battle.
Gintra started brightly forcing 2 early
corners with no reward. Swansea played some
attractive hockey and forced their 1st corner in
the 10th minute - the direct strike was saved
but the defence failed to clear and Clare
Halliday pounced on the loose ball and scored
the opening goal. This gave Swansea confidence
and they played their best hockey of the
tournament putting sustained pressure on the
Lithuanian team. Carys Hopkins made several
super runs with the ball but the final pass
failed to find a Swansea player to complete the
move. In the 26min Gintra replied with a
cleverly worked field goal.
In the 31st minute a sudden and unexpected
opportunity fell to Beth Fisher but her strike
flew high over the bar.
The second half was fiercely competed as both
teams searched for the winning goal. Swansea
pressurised and the Gintra's team frustration
resulted in several yellow cards for their
players but Swansea could not make the superior
numbers tell and failed to capitalise on their
creative play. In the final minute Gintra forced
a PC and scored the winning goal. Swansea will
face the Croatian champions on Sunday.
Sunday 4th June
Swansea retain place in Trophy
Swansea faced the team that 2 years ago they
had played and were relegated - they desperately
wanted to avenge this defeat!
Swansea dominated from the start with some
attractive hockey with Carys Hopkins always
looking dangerous up front. The Croatian GK made
several fine saves in the 4th, 14th and 15th
minute. Swansea finally made their 3rd PC of the
game count when Gemma Petty converted a direct
strike at goal. Swansea continued with some fine
interplay that kept the Croatians chasing
shadows.
In the second half Swansea made their
dominance tell - in the 55th minute a free hit
outside the circle was passed to Nia Walker who
cleverly dribbled into the circle and slipped a
square pass to Carys Hopkins who needed no
second bidding and slotted home Swansea's 2nd
goal. In the 66th minute Clare Halliday received
a long pass at the top of the circle - she
cleverly beat the defender then drew the GK and
slotted into an empty net - a well deserved
goal.
In the 69th minute the Croatians No 7 broke
from her own half and created a great opening
for a colleague who shot wide.
Swansea deservedly won the game and
maintained their position in the Trophy
competition.
Click here to view competition
results
For information regarding the Welsh Hockey Union,
please contact
Chris Brewer on 02920 573940
or email
[email protected]
Please note: Information
published in news stories was correct at the time
of publication. Information, circumstances and data
may have chance since.
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