Despite getting off to a solid start, the Gloucester Panthers men’s hockey team were not the first to strike through last Saturday night (June 30).
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Coming up against the Chatham MRH Wolves, the Panthers were able continue their development of keen ball passing skills around the field but an intercept from a Chatham forward caught the Gloucester team off guard and allowed a goal in.
Gloucester were quick to respond though and it wasn't long before Warren Beggs, leading off the left side was able to convert a goal to even the score up. From this point on, the Panthers were able to build up some momentum.
The team were creating many open spaces in the middle allowing for a greater freedom of play down their sidelines.
There were a few breaks down the centre from Callum Howard through five or six players but, as many of the team couldn't match his pace, he found himself in no mans land without support.
The scoreline really got away from the Chatham side however in the second half as the Panthers play started to gel.
James Hooke, Brett Howard and Phil Moore did a brilliant job keeping any breaks from Chatham out in the backline allowing the forwards to maintain pressure up front with devastating effect.
With multiple shots at goal, goals went to Mark Coombes, Josh Howard and further goals to Warren Beggs.
Even Phil Moore came up from the backline to take a short corner and place a solid shot through the Chatham defence.
To Chatham's credit, their goalkeeper, Frank Birkfield made some excellent saves, but it wasn't enough to keep all of them out.
The final score of 6-1 continues to reinforce Gloucester strong position at the top of the leaderboard. There are now seven matches to go in the season but the team will have a week break due to the holidays.
Their next match sees them up against the Cundletown Cougars which proved to be a very tricky, very evenly paced game.