EGHC Men's 1st Team travelled all the way to Premier League new-boys Exeter University for today's opening fixture. Departing with 3 points, the team enjoyed an end-to end game...
Men's Premier League
EGHC Men's 1st Team
Exeter University 1:4 East Grinstead
2018 09 23
| A solid pre-season with lots of preparation was rewarded with an Away win in a tough opening fixture for EG against a fit and dynamic new member of English Hockey's topflight. |
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Exeter 1(0)
James Ferguson (FG) |
4(1) East Grinstead
Liam Ansell (FG)
Chris Griffiths x 2 (FG)
David Condon (FG) |
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Highlights
GB's Liam Ansell opened the scoring, scored two in total and had a goal disallowed
Debut players including GB Elite Development talent Rhys Smith alongside Ben Mackey and Rory Patterson all put in strong performances
Ansell's GB team-mates, David Condon and Chris Griffiths both scored to give EG 4 away goals
Key Quotes
Simon Faulkner: "a very professional performance given it was the first game of the season"
Glenn Kirkham: "a good win, much deserved but we made it tricky for ourselves in the first half"
Liam Ansell: "great to get two goals but the team result is what matters; really pleased with the team's performance overall" |
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Match Report
EG began the match well, and although GB's Liam Ansell had an early goal disallowed EG were playing positive, open attaching hockey. The positive hockey was to secure a reward soon after the disallowed goal with Liam Ansell again the centre of the action; a quick counter-attach with an open forward shot from the top of the circle put EG ahead. What followed slowed EG's momentum with a couple of careless green cards picked up, but the side went in at half time, 0:1 ahead.
The second half was far more positive for EG. Liam Ansell stole the ball form an Exeter defender and sent the ball into the roof of the net with a stunning back-hand shot early in the second half. Exeter however had their own agenda and put the pressure on with a swift counter attach that gave EG Head Coach Glenn Kirkham something to think about.
Soon afterwards however, EG responded with a counter of their own, with GB's David Condon scoring with a smooth turning forehand that symbolised the increasing control the away side was taking over the game. Not to be outdone, EG's "other" GB striker - Chris Griffiths stunned the Exeter supporters, taking on the Exeter 'keeper in a 1:1 after another cluster, his finish cool and into the bottom corner. |
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