AFTER a horror few weeks, Altona Hockey Club’s State League One men’s side earned a point from its clash against Mentone on Saturday.
Mentone went into the match as outsiders, but Altona did not take the side lightly, given its extremely potent forward line.
Altona had a massive scare in the second half, going behind 3-1 at one stage, but managed to score twice to escape with a draw.
Altona started with all the play and had many early chances, but could not score.
Young drag flicker Chris Coleman converted a penalty corner to get the A’s on the board.
Despite dominating the first half, the A’s went into the break with only a 1-0 lead.
A different Altona came out after the break, with the errors and turnovers that had cost the side dearly in recent weeks reappearing. Two turnovers out of defence resulted in quick counter attacks from Mentone, and suddenly the away team was 2-1 up early in the second half.
A third goal followed, again on the counter attack, and Altona was staring down the barrel of an embarrassing loss against a club that had only won once in 2012, and was only playing its 10th State League One match.
Altona rallied, with Captain Stevie Campbell pouncing on a loose ball after a breakdown of a penalty corner, calmly slotting the ball in the net to give the A’s some chance.
Altona had all the running, and was attacking with purpose.
Jesse Gatt and Mick Gallo combined well, with the pacey Pat Phillips causing issues for the Mentone defenders. Chris Coleman successfully converted another drag flick on a penalty corner, and the A’s were able to hold on for a face-saving 3-3 draw.
“That was a match that we needed to win to stay in touch for finals. This has definitely made it more difficult for us. We needed to take those early chances and convert them, which would have taken the sting out of the match, and put it beyond them. We need to get rid of the turnovers and errors in defence. We have a lot of work to do,” co-coach Greg Drake said.
Altona takes on competition heavyweight Waverley away on Saturday
