Men’s Premier League Reserves Report
In the drizzling rain at Essendon, the Waverley HC Premier League Reserve team withstood some early pressure from the home side to put an early score on the board via a cheeky through-the-legs finish from Corey Joseph. Essendon responded quickly with a tap in at the far post just minutes later.
Waverley looked to have a hard task ahead of them, as they created numerous chances which they saw saved and shut down by the Essendon GK and defence respectively. The Panthers were temporarily down a player due to a yellow card yet were still able to control the game, and upon return to 11 on the field slotted two goals in quick succession via 2 Danny Brennan drag-flicks to lead 3-1 at half-time.
Upon the restart, the Bombers came out firing and pressed the Navy Blues hard. While a free-flowing game was difficult to establish, the Panthers extended their lead to 4-1 via another drag-flick from Danny; one that completed his hattrick. From this point onwards, the 3 points appeared to be in the bag. Apart from a rare flurry of Essendon attempts on goal midway through the 2nd half, which were saved by GK Elliot Matthews, Waverley were in control all over the field and soon added a goal from Ben Mogridge. The Navy Blues further capitalised on their superiority, creating more good play as Lewis Matthews & Alasdair Hackett joined the scorer’s list. The former being a fantastic team effort consisting of numerous 1-2s between Riley Maddock and Lewie, and the latter being Hackie’s maiden goal for the Reserves.
While an unfamiliar surface and conditions made things difficult, it was a very good result, and a satisfying response to last week’s defeat to Greensborough.
Final score: 7-1 victory.
Team: E.Matthews, A.Green, S.Rogerson, M.Barca, T.Cook, B.Lyon, L.Matthews, D.Brennan, K.Tansey, B.Mogridge, A.Hackett, N.Jordan, C. Joseph.
Coach: R. Lameijn.
Men’s Premier League Report
The Waverley Premier League Mens team travelled out to Essendon on Saturday to take on the lowly ranked Bombers outfit. Although the Bombers sit near the bottom of the ladder they took it up to the Panthers from the first whistle forcing the Panthers to turn over the ball numerous time in the middle of the ground. It wasn’t until midway through the first half Panthers striker Nick Steffens found space in the circle pushing the ball past the goal keeper.
The second half was a different story with the Panthers taking control of the game. Joel Tansey was solid in the middle of the ground providing much needed drive. Three minutes into the half the Panthers were rewarded with a penalty corner which Damon Steffens converted with ease. The Panthers continued to press for more goals seeing Stephen Head finish off a great team goal. Damon Steffens added to his tally converting his second penalty corner for the game.
On debut, exciting young 16 year old Ben Mogridge scored the final goal taking the score to 5 -0.