Early goals pave way for Strikers’ triumph

South West Strikers hockey gun Ryan McGeoch starred at the weekend against the Newman Knights, scoring two goals in the home side’s 3-1 win.

With two goals in the first 15 minutes and a dominant territorial advantage the Strikers looked destined to increase their lead at the top of the State league second tier points table and improve on their 4-1 first round victory.

But with Knights’ midfielder Mat Rowe working hard and in-form goalkeeper Tim Dingley playing well, the Strikers were kept in check with their two early goals from Mat Williamson and McGeoch until half-time.

It took the Knights an hour to win their first penalty corner but Coates was up to his task and with a dash out of defence by Neaves work was cut out for the visitors’ goalkeeper.

Newman Knights fought hard for the last five minutes, rewarded with a consolation field goal by Knight Alwyn Simmonds.

On Saturday the Strikers travel to Lark Hill in a top-of-the-table clash at 3-30pm where they take on Rockingham who they defeated 5-3 in the first round.

The Strikers women’s side lost 0-2 to Fremantle at the weekend, falling off top spot on the ladder.

A bitterly cold breeze and occasional showers spoilt the game as a spectacle with both teams struggling to keep their passes pinpoint – with the Strikers the guiltier of the two.

Determined to overturn their first round loss, the Strikers set off with an early attack forcing goalkeeper Sammy Jones to save.

But Fremantle countered and a few minutes later forced the Strikers’ goalkeeper Janke Harbig to save well.

The visitors kept up the pressure and snatched the lead after a goalmouth short corner scramble with Jess Watts slotting the first goal of the game.

With tails high the Magpies took it to the Strikers spearheaded by Gemma Wharton and Erin Hall together with Heather Batten and Watts forcing some staunch rearguard action by the Strikers defenders with Sally Brown pulling off a superb save as she swept the ball off the Fremantle goal line.

The Strikers hit back after half time with some deft play but it was 2-0 to the visitors at the 53rd minute mark with Erin Hall hammering a sizzling short corner shot past Harbig with the Strikers unlucky with a strong Jenna Gmeiner strike saved by Jones.