Roller Hockey: Premier league, HBU delighted with 6 points!
Herne Bay United; Roller Hockey Premier League
Saturday25th Oct: Bury Vs HBU 6- 7
Sunday26th Oct: HBU Vs Santacrusense 9 – 1
Herne Bay United’s 1st team had a double-header weekend with the 1st of the two matches away to Bury, which is always a difficult fixture with many teams struggling with the rink.
Both teams started solidly with few chances coming and both teams looking evenly matched. United were first to break the deadlock after 13 minutes with Brendan Barker getting his first of the night. The game remained close United were looking stronger and aiming to catch Bury on the counter attack, but after a defensive error, Sam Norton caught United off guard to bring the match level.
Fabio Vicente was quick to restore the lead for United with a backhand shot into the top corner. United’s first substitutions came and unfortunately in the last minute and a half of the first period with a fortunate roll of luck for Bury against the run of play they scored two quick goals, one being an own goal from Karl Smith and the other a rebound off the wall catching United Eddie Mount off guard but gave Bury a 4 – 2 lead in to the break.
Immediately into the second half Bury’s tough physical hockey gave United their first Direct hit from the accumulation of team fouls. Barker converted from the spot to make it 4 – 3. United pushed on and Neil Austin within a minute brought the match level. The match remained tight with a goal going each way from both teams but it was Austin with a nice finish to the far top corner with 2 minutes left that gave United the 6 – 7 victory, which was very much needed.
HBU’s second match of the weekend was very much an unknown as they were to face a newly formed club Santacruzense from London. This team have been made up from a number of players who have played for several clubs previously and are a well-schooled group.
United made no mistake about going about their task and welcoming the team to the Premier League. United were 3 – 0 up within the first 6 minutes, and set the tone for the task not allowing Santacruzense the time to settle into the match. United had considerably more possession than the visitors and opportunities were being frequently presented and the first half ran out for United with a comfortable 6 – 0 lead and after using all the players available on the bench.
The second half was a much more closely fought one as United had taken the foot off the gas but they never looked in doubt and with Santacruzense getting on the score sheet just once from a direct hit from the accumulation of the team fouls and having failed to score in open play. United finished the match 9 – 1 victors and finished the weekend positively with 6 points.
United looked a lot more comfortable and the win on Saturday gave them the much needed confidence to bolster the team. United now face IGR Remscheid in the European Cup at home on Saturday 1st November. They are currently 11 – 4 down, but now with a full squad at their disposal there is hope of being able to turn the match around.
HBU Team lists (both games) this weekend: Eddie Mount, Kristoff White (gks).
Joe Singleton(1)©, Karl Smith, Lewis Greenwood(2), Josh Branchett(1), Neil Austin(5), Tom White, Fabio Vicente(1), Ashley Barton, Brendan Barker(6).