Parkes United have continued their excellent start to the 2015 season with a convincing 3-0 win over Dubbo Blue Jays on Stephen Davies Field last Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Parkes produced their best team performance of the season so far, playing great team hockey to dominate all facets of the match against tough opposition.
Despite Dubbo sitting above Parkes on the table, it was the home side who were off to a dream start when they scored in the 6th minute.
From a free hit outside the 25 metre line, Nicole Knox fired a great pass into the circle to find Syann Allen in open space.
Allen showed great poise to slot the ball past the keeper and give Parkes a 1-0 lead.
Although not able to score any further goals in the opening half, Parkes created some great attacking opportunities to keep Dubbo on the back foot.
United returned to the pitch after the half-time break and started nervously, giving away easy possession to the opposition.
Parkes were able to regroup after 10 minutes and settle back into some strong hockey
They extended their lead when Allen scored her second goal after excellent lead-up play by Stacey Ross.
Ross showed lovely skill to beat several defenders and lay off to Allen in perfect space in front of goal.
Allen was able to slot the ball into the net after a tussle with the keeper for 2-0.
Parkes’ defence, led by fullback Codie Wakefield was outstanding.
Dubbo rallied to produce their best spell of the game and were able to force some penalty corners late in the match.
United’s defensive five were able to repel all of the attacking opportunities.
Parkes worked hard until the final whistle and were rewarded when Paige Hay forced a penalty corner in the dying seconds.
Denise Gersbach and Sarah Melhuish combined well with a nice set play for Melhuish to slot home and give Parkes a well-deserved 3-0 victory.
Stand-in coach Hamish Orr was thrilled with the team’s performance.
“Our defence was outstanding today,” Orr said.
“At the moment, it is the defence who is winning us games.
“Our talk was good all over the pitch and we let the ball do the work for us up front.
“I am very impressed with the way the team pulled together and fought until the end today.
“It bodes well for the remainder of the season,” he said.
Best and Fairest points were awarded to fullback Codie Wakefield after a dominant defensive performance and centre-half Sarah Melhuish.
Wakefield was also a popular choice for Player’s Player with Nic Knox and Syann Allen also featuring prominently in the votes.
There is a general bye for Easter before Parkes take on St Pats in Bathurst the following weekend.