Hockey’s Crusaders bounce back from big defeat with win over Delts

The latest indoor hockey matches for the Eric Brown Shield saw victories for New Revolution and Crusaders, while Deltmavine and New Revolution both picked up the points when Reckless failed to field a team.

Eric Brown Shield

New Revolution 7, Crusaders 2

The game started lively with both teams not wanting to let the other get the upper hand. It was halfway through the first half before the first goal came, with a strong skilful run down the left hand side from Peter Sharp who played Mhari Moncrieff through to finish with a well-taken goal past the outstretched Crusaders goalie Darren Thomson.

Crusaders came back, winning a couple of short corners, and from the second corners specialist Rona Simpson dispatched a lethal shot past the onrushing New Rev defence to level the game at 1-1.

New Rev were back in front from a good move with Bryan Irvine and Stacey Laurenson linking up well for Laurenson to drive the ball past the goalie.

Crusaders struck back with a quick counter attack, Brett Haining breaking from the back to find Lowrie Simpson who played it back to Haining to beat keeper Jessica Bradley with a neat finish.

New Rev were able to get their noses in front just before half-time after another dangerous run from Sharp was brought to a halt with a foul by Haining. That earned him the sin bin and gave Stacey Laurenson a penalty flick which she made no mistake with, drilling it into the bottom left hand corner past Thomson to make it 3-2.

The second half started as the first had finished with both teams really going for it. Crusaders Gayle Johnson and Kara Thomson were working well in the middle of the park and breaking forward at any chance they could but couldn’t get the ball past the on-form Bradley in the New Rev goal.

New Rev managed to add to the lead with a short corner from Sharp finding Bryan Irvine and for the second week in a row he found the back of the net with a shot, squeezing in at the front post for his second.

This lifted the New Rev team and Stacey Laurenson was able to get her hat trick with a good move involving Lorrie Robertson, Emma Gray and Laurenson.

Peter Sharp got his name on the score sheet after good passing from Kate Moncrieff and Kevin Gifford finding Sharp moving into the D. He was able to turn and place the ball past the unlucky Thomson to make it 6-2.

Bryan Irvine finished the scoring off with his second of the night near the end with a good run, beating a couple of players to flick the ball past the onrushing Thomson.

Players of the match were Bryan Irvine for New Rev and for the Crusaders Lowrie Simpson was dangerous throughout.

Crusaders 2, Deltmavine 1

Crusaders stormed on to the court straight off the back of their encounter with New Rev, determined to get a result in this game.

Lowrie Simpson and Gayle Johnson created some great chances but with the defence of Nicola Blance and Debbie Robertson, backed up by Toni Sidgwick in goal, it was plain it was not going to be easy to get a result.

As well having a strong defence Deltmavine proved to be dangerous on the attack. Andrew Aitken and Ross MacDougal threatened to take the lead on numerous occasions. However Crusaders, still determined to get a result, were resilient, biding their time, and their chance came close to half-time with a short corner which Haining slotted home.

The second half started as fast and furious as the previous with Gayle Johnson and Ross MacDougal tussling in the mid-court. Johnson showed MacDougal how it was done and tore up the court. MacDougal doggedly chased but to no avail as Johnson slipped the ball to Simpson who slammed it into the goal to make the score 2-0.

Deltmavine didn’t give up and the game continued to be very even throughout the final half until some slick passing between Nicola Blance, Aitken and MacDougal paid off when MacDougal struck home the final goal of the game.

Players of the match were Darren Thomson in goal for Crusaders and Andrew Aitken of Deltmavine.

Deltmavine v Reckless

Reckless could not field a team so points went to Deltmavine.

Reckless  v New Revolution

Reckless could not field a team so the points went to New Revolution.