South Wales Hockey League
Division 2
Abergavenny 3 Newcastle Emlyn 4
Newcastle Emlyn produced a sparkling performance away from home to record their first win of the season and against a side previously unbeaten.
Their opponents Abergavenny who have their eyes firmly set on promotion this term had swept all before them leading up to this game but this made little difference to the Emlyn ladies as they stormed into an early lead and were well deserved winners in the end.
Both teams started confidently but it was the visitors who managed to draw first blood thanks to some lovely work in the D by the trio of Enfys Davies, Catrin Rowlands and Mel Williams, the latter managing to slip the ball over the white line to make it 1-0.
Despite a promising first 15 minutes from the red and blacks, the home team showed they weren’t planning to go down without a fight and they soon equalised. Perhaps due to a very slow pitch, it looked like Emlyn were struggling to find their feet, and despite ending the first half 3-1 up thanks to a goal apiece from Enfys Davies and Catrin Rowlands, they were not displaying the same composure they had earlier on in the game.
Both teams were unlucky to be green-carded in separate incidents for fouls which might have, in other circumstances, resulted in free hits, but neither managed to capitalise on the other being a player down. Abergavenny showed their class and stayed in the game with two excellent goals in the second half, but another shot on target from Rowlands made it 4-3 with just 15 minutes to go. Abergavenny were awarded a short corner which looked worrying for the reds, especially as they were missing regular goalie Angharad Jenkins, on top of captain and defensive sweeper, Lowri Hubbard, who is out with a hand injury.
However some excellent work by Heledd-Mai Lloyd who stepped in last minute as keeper, and Sara Hatcher in defence, kept the Abergavenny ladies at bay and the hosts looked to have secured a point late on but the goal was quickly disallowed by the umpire and at the final whistle it was 4-3 to Emlyn, making it their first win of the season and one which will put the west Wales ladies into a healthier mid table position.
Promising youngster Sioned Davies played another blinder to thoroughly deserve player of the match, and special mention must also go to junior player, Rosie Hughes, on her debut for the ladies.
With only one home game under their belts so far due to a flooded pitch, and that being a draw, Emlyn look forward to hosting Whitchurch 4ths this Saturday at Cardigan Leisure Centre – 1pm push back.
Newcastle Emlyn Men’s Development team will be playing their first friendly fixture this weekend against Carmarthen Men at 11:30am also at Cardigan Leisure Centre. Supporters very welcome
