Altona’s Chris Coleman looks for a way through two Hawthorn opponents. 82853_03 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By MICHAEL ESPOSITO
AFTER receiving a lesson two weeks ago at Doncaster, Altona’s State League One men’s hockey team’s mid-season form slump continued, with a 4-1 loss to Hawthorn at the State Hockey Centre on Saturday.
Altona was again jumped in the first half, conceding three goals as the sharp Hawthorn attack pounced on Altona defensive errors making the A’s pay.
A penalty corner conversion half way through the second half to Chris Coleman was the only bright spot in an otherwise horrible day for the Seagulls.
“We have been focusing on improving our basics through this season, but obviously have much more work to do,” co-coach Ben Guy said. Our turnovers today were costly and put our defence under immense pressure.”
Altona take on Mentone at Grant Reserve on Saturday.
Altona’s State League One women recovered from a two-goal deficit to record a gutsy 2-2 draw against ladder leader Greensborough.
In co-captain Steph Sarantis’s 100th State League One appearance, the A’s second half comeback was impressive against the competition heavyweight.
Altona were dominant in the first 15 minutes, but could not convert several penalty corners and field goal opportunities. Midfielder Emma Aitken was on fire early, with her pace and physical style keeping the ’Borough girls on the back foot. She combined well with strikers Sarantis and Tegan Purser.
Against the flow of play, an unmarked Greensborough striker found herself on the end of a freak deflection from an Altona stick, and put in an easy goal. Greensborough scored an easy second only minutes later to take a 2-0 lead into the break.
Altona came out fired up and began to get on top. Nothing was getting through the rock-solid defence of Lauren Winship, Carla Ruhe and Kerrin Ford, while midfielder Marian Dickson and striker Kate Gilis also caused headaches.
An off the ball incident saw Altona awarded a penalty stroke, which Purser converted with ease.
Altona kept surging forward, and Sarantis pounced on a ball in the circle and calmly slotted a goal to equalise.
“They are the benchmark at the moment, with a number of representative players, and a pretty intimidating record this year,” coach Marc Richardson said about Greensborough.
“I was very pleased with the girls’ refusal to give up and ability to stay in the contest with a very strong opposition.”
