HOCKEY LEAGUE
BRIDGEND ..................... 2 LYDNEY ......................... 3
THIS wasn’t the start to the season that Bridgend were hoping for in De Cymru & The Marches One, writes Tony Poole.
The Ravens were bitterly disappointed with the outcome, but will look to learn from errors at Aberystwyth University on Saturday.
They did, however, make a decent start with Timmy Hodges causing problems and Rhydian Cole fired a number of chances towards goal.
The introduction of Jason Arnold and Andrew Jones Snr brought a more dynamic approach, and they took the lead from a short corner.
Rhys Owen seized possession and drilled an unstoppable low drive past the goalkeeper.
Better soon followed when Jacob Hodges eased past three defenders, and scored with a powerful reverse strike.
However, by half time it was Lydney who led 3-2 after Bridgend produced some schoolboy howlers at the back.
And though the Ravens were flying high at times during the second period, they failed to break down an obstinate defence.
An abundance of short corners were won with Jamie Brooks setting up a multitude of chances around the D.
The best chance fell to Thomas Hopkins, who was unable to get the better of the goalkeeper. erators Rubery and Eddie nificent fightback with the Jackson began to punish winner. the Students. Paul Davies planted the THE lone Bridgend sucKris Williams started to ball in the D with Rhodri cess story on day one of carry the ball with authorOwen going full length to the league season was ity down the right flank – get a shot on goal. provided by the A team and this was the source of And though it was beatwho gained an exciting their second goal. en away, the rebound fell victory at Swansea UniWilliams found Rhodri to a delighted Rubery who versity B. Owen, resulting in Nick put the tin hat on the re
In a seven-goal thriller Anthony reducing arrears covery act with the winin De Cymru One,ner.theto3-2. Ravens came from three It was now game on and During the closing goals down to return with Jonny Woodward stages, Bridgend played home with the points. and Gareth Collier digsuccessful keep-ball and
The Students handed ging deep, Jackson won a there was even time for out early lessons and the key short corner. goalkeeper Adrian Hibfirst sign that Bridgend It ran into the path bert, who pulled off some had something to offer of Paul Davies whose key first-half saves, to discame just ahead of the dink over the oncoming play nifty footwork. break. goalkeeper restored parThis Saturday, Bridgend
Steve Murphy teed up ity. A visit the new facility at Jonny Rubery to score in The Ravens were now Ysgol Bae Baglan to take reverse-stick fashion – ruling the roost and they on Neath. and suddenly they were ruffled the feathers of the on their way. Students who reached for
That provided them the panic button. with momentum going Rubery had a goal into the second period, ruled out before and gradually wide op- Bridgend crowned a mag-
WHITCHURCH D ........... 2 BRIDGEND B ................. 1
EXPERIENCE eventually told, as Bridgend B came a cropper against Whitchurch D in De Cymru Two.
The Ravens were under the cosh during the opening half against battlehardened Whitchurch, and only resolute defending kept the score down.
It was Derek Jones, Mike John, young Steve McIntosh and goalkeeper Cliff Harrison that prevented the men from the capital going clear.
They had to work their socks off to keep the interval deficit down to 2-0 before moving on to brighter things.
Rotating midfield players Jonny Murphy, Jeremy Ingram and Matt Arthur began to impact, as did Ian Blatchford and on the money Gavin Pound.
Pressure eventually told – Jonny Catton scoring from a penalty short corner – to set up a grandstand finish.
It was a case of the two Bridgend Ladies teams sitting out the opening salvos in the South Wales Women’s League.
Their campaigns begin in earnest on Saturday with tough away assignments.
Bridgend Firsts visit Presteigne while the Seconds head for Chepstow.