Pembroke look to keep defying odds and further enhance play-off credentials

PEMBROKE WANDERERS’ credentials as a contender for the men’s EY Hockey League play-offs will be further put to the test today when they face Lisnagarvey at Serpentine Avenue.

The Ballsbridge club had been expected to have a transitional season with Olympians Kirk Shimmins and Alan Sothern – as well as international goalkeeper Mark Ingram – heading for professional clubs in Europe.

But they have defied the odds to date, most recently beating reigning national champions Three Rock Rovers in midweek 3-1 with Matthew Treacy, Cody Thomas and Cian Murphy getting the goals.

It bolstered their place in third, three points off leaders Banbridge, with coach Paudie Carley creating an incredible team belief to pick up four wins from losing positions.

One of those came on the opening day at Garvey when goalkeeper Simon Thornton was outstanding and he will need to do more of the same to keep Matthew Nelson at bay.

The other key tie is at the bottom when YMCA will hope to land their first win in the EYHL when they host Cookstown.

YMCA suffered a chastening 7-1 defeat in County Tyrone in September but have improved markedly since then and are now only three points off safety.

Grant Glutz is equal top of their goalscoring charts, showing they always have a threat, while Cookstown lost by an aggregate 11-2 in two games last weekend and therefore have a definite air of vulnerability about them.

On the women’s side, Pembroke also have a big tie for their play-off chances when they go to Pegasus this afternoon.