West Wilts too strong for Salisbury (From Salisbury Journal)

West Wilts too strong for Salisbury

7:20am Thursday 10th September 2009 in Other Sport

SALISBURY Hockey Club’s new season got off to a disappointing start as they lost 3-2 against a young and fit West Wilts side.

Playing with a newly adopted formation, Salisbury started the game well with fast attacks and well-structured defence, organised by new captain Rob Selbie. After 20 minutes, Salisbury's dominance against the younger, faster West Wilts team began to show with short corners being won frequently. This pressure, coupled with fine work on the wings by Ollie Budniak, Rich Gorham and Rory MacTaggart, led to the first goal of the game. Picking the ball up outside the D, Gorham quickly passed to the awaiting Selbie who calmly slipped the ball passed the ’keeper to Jon Powell, who scored with ease. Salisbury added a second shortly after, when Selbie smashed a short corner strike into the bottom corner to give the home side a two goal first-half advantage.

Unfortunately, Salisbury were unable to build on their first-half performance and, as West Wilts improved their passing game, gaps began to appear in the heart of the Salisbury defence.

Salisbury keeper Clem Teagle could do nothing about the first as a West Wilts forward fired in from close range and, shortly after, Salisbury were once again undone as tired legs were unable to keep up with the West Wilts attack and the ball was fired into the bottom of the goal. West Wilts bagged the winner just before the end to give them a 3-2 win.

n SALISBURY’S second XI also fell to defeat against West Wilts, as they slipped to a 4-2 loss, but their performance led skipper Andy Grandfield to be greatly encouraged.

Playing with a much-changed side, Salisbury were far and away the more positive side and took the lead after 15 minutes when newcomer Brad Rouse finished a sweeping move.

West Wilts struck back immediately after, as two unfortunate mix-ups inside the Salisbury D were punished with two goals.

Salisbury continued to dominate after the break, but their attacking spirit led to them being vulnerable on the break.

West Wilts scored another before Grandfield pulled one back for Salisbury, but any hopes of a comeback were quashed when West Wilts fired their fourth just before the end. However, despite the scoreline, Salisbury adapted to their new formation with ease and, with improved fitness, a big season could be in store.