SL1 Vs. Doncaster [Rd 8]

Waverley 5 defeated Doncaster 2.

Waverley met Doncaster at the State Hockey Centre looking to return to the winners list after a disappointing previous two rounds. The Panthers welcomed back Tim Thompson from injury in a critical match approaching the half point of the season.

Waverley entered the fray confidently by quickly establishing the pace of the game with patient build-ups followed by fierce attacks. Within five minutes Waverley were awarded a penalty corner that was promptly slotted  by Danny Brennan off the battery to take Waverley to a 1-0 lead early in the match.

The Panthers continued to pepper the Doncaster defence with relentless offensive pressure and structured defence. The Doncaster defence were unable to contain the rampant Waverley forwards and succumbed to a penalty corner conversion by Luke Young, 2-0. This continual aggressiveness saw yet another penalty corner slammed home by Sparrow Swindells to take the Panthers to an unanswered 3-0. However, the resilient Doncaster replied shortly before the break through Olympian Andrew Smith to take the scoreline to 3-1 at half time.

The second half saw Doncaster come out blazing through an incessant assault on the Panthers. For the first 15 minutes Waverley were unable to maintain control of the ball and found themselves stuck within their own defensive half. Yet stern defence led by Corey Joseph and several vital saves made by Tom Scott kept the Panthers in the hunt. However, a breakdown in defence awarded Doncaster a corner which was placed beyond Tom Scott to take the game to 3-2.

With the game in the balance the Panthers sought to regroup and forced itself onto the front foot. After a period of stalemate the breakthrough came from Tim Wischusen who made a piercing run along the right which he miraculously finished by slipping the ball under the keeper and into the goal from the baseline, 4-2.

With less than 5 minutes remaining Waverley put the game beyond doubt with a sizzling shot from Sparrow Swindells on the right. Final score 5-2 with Tom Scott playing an outstanding game.

The win cements Waverley’s top 4 spot coming into the halfway point of the season. The Panthers must now meet TEM at home this Saturday and we will be looking for the three points to further prove our finals contention.

Best: Scott, Joseph, Brennan.

Goals: Brennan, Young, Wischusen and Swindells (2)

Team: Scott, Glasscock, Mutimer, Thompson, Jarvis, Joseph, Moore, Preston, Wischusen, Swindells,  Dallimore, Brennan, Young.