Lindum Hockey‘s wait for a win in the second tier continues after visiting Olton & West Warwickshire served up their latest defeat.
The Lincoln-based side fought back from 3-0 down to bring the game within one, before the visitors restored their breathing space and saw out a 5-3 victory in a topsy-turvy game.
Made to Pay for Missed Chances:
Lindum were made to pay for their missed chances, as they faced a Solihull-based side who travelled to Lincolnshire unbeaten in three outings. A win over local rivals University of Birmingham was sandwiched between draws with Deeside Ramblers and Durham University for the outfit knocking on the door of the table’s top half.
The hosts started brightest, with Sam Perrin having a shot well saved. He then went through on goal minutes later, but was forced wide by the recovering Olton defender. His slash at the ball was parried to Jacob Barnes, who had his effort pushed onto the crossbar by a busy Joe Mallett in the Olton goal.
Before the end of the first quarter, Rob Johnstone had a shot saved and Sam Dixon fumbled an effort from a penalty corner, airing an attempt on goal.
The second quarter brought the consequences of Lindum’s missed chances. Dan Legg deflected a wayward shot into the back of Dan Garlick’s net, before Marcus Tombes netted from a half-blocked penalty corner effort.
Perrin limped off injured for Lindum, before the Yellow Submarine mustered their first chance of the second quarter. Dixon forced a diving save stick-side from a short corner.
Then, with just a minute left in the first-half, George Sitch made it three. He rushed through on the counter attack after a misplaced pass, seeing his first effort saved by the onrushing Garlick before flicking the rebound beyond the scrambling Lindum ‘keeper.
A Third Quarter Fightback from Lindum:
Olton & West Warwickshire remained on top as the second-half began, but a green card a piece later and Lindum began their fightback. Dixon lashed home from a penalty corner with 42 minutes on the clock.
It was then a carbon copy for the forward, as he flicked the ball into the top corner after Matt Goodley pulled pack the short corner to him.
It was two goals in five minutes, but the comeback did not last. Legg added his second of afternoon, slapping home after pinching the ball from a Lindum defender caught on his heels.
Back and Forth in the Final Quarter:
In the final quarter, both sides had their chances. It was Lindum who drew first blood, reducing the arrears to just one. Angus Graham finished at the back post after Joey Finding’s effort was initially blocked.
At the other end, with just ten minutes left on the clock, Dan Sulway had his first shot saved, before second and third efforts were blocked by various Lindum defenders.
Sulway had another attempt from a penalty corner saved moments later, as Garlick lifted his left glove to parry the effort over the crossbar.
The game was put beyond the hosts when Chris Rawlings poked the ball into an empty Lindum net, with goalkeeper Garlick pulled to allow for an extra outfield player.
Yellow cards were shown to both teams in the final couple of minutes as tempers flared in the chilly November. The final whistle condemned Lindum Hockey to another defeat, meaning their wait for a first win in the Division One North continues with two crush games on the horizon.