September goal fails to save brave side

THE St Andrew’s College first team achieved a hard-fought 3-1 win against a skilful and nippy Alexander Road side in their schools hockey clash at the weekend.

After some easy turnovers in the early, nervous stages, the midfield of Peter Jarvis and Luke Hobson, in particular, took advantage of the space allowed by the opposition to mount several attacks, keeping Alex in their half.

Despite the advantage, St Andrew’s could not convert.

But they kept their composure and Vuyo Ketwa received a pass to beat the ’keeper with a clever lifted shot which hit the defender on the line, resulting in Hobson scoring from a penalty stroke.

Another composed attack moments later gave Ross Vides an opportunity to score from a close range, making it 2-0 to St Andrew’s at the break.

But the midfield was tiring on a heavy pitch and a series of substitutions broke the defensive structure and gave Alex territorial advantage.

They scored a deflected goal by Keegan September and kept the pressure on the St Andrew’s team.

The Andreans, though, fought back well, but could not convert a series of penalty corners. However, they regained the territorial advantage, with James Marriner and Peter Jarvis giving the team width on the right.

There were some tense moments in defence as Alex looked to counter-attack, with one attempt being thwarted by St Andrew’s defenders Zukisa Biyana and Dan Scholtz.

With less than two minutes to go, William Marx found Marriner unmarked and he hammered home a stunning goal to ensure the 3-1 victory.