Parkes United womens Premier League hockey side suffered their first loss of the season, going down 1-0 to Orange Ex-Services in the dying minutes of their match on Stephen Davies Field.
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Ex-Services and Parkes went into the match in fourth and fifth positions respectively, although both sides would have been in second and third except for the loss of points earlier in the season.
Parkes were the more attacking side for the match, earning eight penalty corners to Ex-Services’ two and creating many more opportunities in front of goal.
The home side’s lack of composure in the circle saw them scoreless, ultimately proving costly as Ex-Services stole the win.
In a very physical contest, Parkes’ defence certainly had their work cut out for them.
The defensive unit was impressive and were able to regularly break down the Orange attack before they were able to penetrate the circle.
In attack, Parkes missed a number of good opportunities in the circle after they created one-on-one chances with the Orange keeper on several occasions in the first half.
They went unconverted as the sides could not be separated after a goal less first period.
The Parkes girls continued to put in a good effort with lots of running in defence and attack.
They were unlucky not to find the net in the second half with the Ex-Services keeper called upon a number of times to make last ditch diving saves.
With only five minutes remaining, Ex-Services earned their second penalty corner.
A nicely worked variation saw the ball slapped across the face of goal and deflected into the net on the right post.
Parkes nearly levelled the scores with a minute remaining when Peta Fagan got a nice slap shot away at goal.
Again the Orange keeper was up to the task and booted the ball well out of the circle.
United coach Aaron Huppatz was disappointed with the loss, but not with the effort of his side.
“We did enough in the match to win the game,” he said.
“We created many opportunities, but we just couldn’t convert.
“We need to be smarter in the circle and improve on our penalty corner options.”
“Ex-Services were very physical and we let them knock us off the ball.
“It was not until the 65th minute that we actually gave a bit back.
“They are a sharp side and we more than matched it with them throughout the entire game.”
Parkes have another home game on Saturday against Dubbo Blue Jays.
