ALTONA’S State League One mens hockey side returned to the winners list on Saturday in a see-sawing contest in horrible conditions at Grant Reserve.
The A’s held off a second half comeback from MCC amid a deluge of rain, to record a 3-2 victory in front of a cold, wet, but happy home crowd.
The first half was willing and full of chances, but neither side could find the back of the net.
Missing elder statesmen and co-captain TJ Priddle through injury, some of the A’s younger players stood up after half time, with Harry Dolenc, Mick Gallo and Jacob Macvean all featuring. Altona opened the scoring, with a successful flick on a penalty corner from Chris Coleman, early in the second half. The goal gave the A’s confidence, and they started to get on top of their opposition.
Pat Phillips’ pace was causing issues for the Demons up front, while Jesse Gatt and Liam Williamson were providing a lot of drive in the midfield.
Ten minutes into the second half, Phillips crossed the ball to young striker, Lachie Russell, who slotted a goal from close-in for his first goal in the State League One competition.
The second Altona goal seemed to spur MCC into action. They lifted their work rate, and were putting Altona under immense pressure up back, with several close attempts from counter attacks being saved by goal keeper Aaron Anstis.
The A’s defence wasn’t able to hold off the tsunami of attacks, with the dam finally breaking and MCC scoring two field goals in three minutes.
A breakdown in a penalty corner seemed doomed to fail, but Campbell pounced on a loose ball and slotted the ball into the back of the net. Altona managed to hang on, even when reduced to 10 men in the final minute, due to an indiscretion, to record a 3-2 victory.
“In the past, when sides have come back and clawed back our lead, we have stopped in our tracks, so today, to look inside ourselves and lift a notch, and manage to reclaim the lead and get the three points was very pleasing,” co-coach Greg said.
“We have eight players out of our top squad, so it is great to see some of the younger blokes get their chance and grab it with both hands.”
Altona’s State League One womens side recorded its second win in a row, holding out MCC 2-1.
Experienced striker Step Sarantis got Altona off to an early lead, slamming home a rebound from the MCC keeper off a penalty corner.
Early in the second half, MCC equalised against the flow of play.
But the A’s girls kept running hard. Taniciah Isorena passed a ball to striker Phoebe Rothfield, who bustled through three tackles along the base line, before passing the ball to young striker Tila Hassing for her first State League One goal and the sealer.
