Hat-trick hero James Liddiard put IW II on top in the first half. Picture by Peter Boam.
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HOCKEYIW II 8, Trojans V 1
A STUNNING first-half display earned IW II a place in the final of the Hampshire Open League Trophy Cup on Sunday.
The hosts took the game to their shellshocked visitors from the off, putting in an assured and confident performance to win in style.
Trojans started brightly enough but the IW were ready and absorbed the early pressure well, before counter-attacking to take a fourth-minute lead.
James Liddiard provided the goal, with a backhand swept shot. Four minutes later it was 2-0, Liddiard stepping up again with a diving shot after some great teamwork.
A comfortable lead was secured when, just ten minutes later, Craig Bruce won a one-on-one battle with the Trojans goalkeeper.
Rob Forrest was next in line to take some of the glory, sweeping in from the right to give the Islanders a four-goal cushion.
Although Trojans netted two minutes later, the IW charge was not thwarted, and Liddiard completed his hat-trick with a great individual effort.
It took until 13 minutes into the second half for the IW to extend their advantage although this was only down to some good goalkeeping from Trojans. IW maintained good pressure and it paid off when Chris Ashton tipped in Richard Reynolds’s shot.
Their final goals came in the last ten minutes of the game, courtesy of Simon Butler, and Bruce, to put a real gloss on a shining IW display.
IW II: Harris, Brown, Butler, Reynolds, Jordan, Bruce, Dean, Ashton, Stubbings, Liddiard, Forrest. Subs: Finney, Cripps.
IW II 2, Gillingham 7
Despite losing to already-promoted Gillingham at Smallbrook, IW II celebrated after surviving relegation from Hampshire 5.
They avoided the drop after Portsmouth and Southsea, the only team who could catch IW II to send them down, lost to Basingstoke, meaning the Island’s good run of just three defeats in eight games was enough to keep them up.
Saturday’s match provided a good test for the home side as Gillingham showed why they had scored more than 100 goals this season.
Gillingham were 3-1 up at half time with Craig Bruce the Island scorer, while Dan Groves got one back in the second half as Gillingham scored four more.
Five of Gillingham’s goals were from short-corners, showing just how dangerous they are at set pieces.
But the result was not important as the Island celebrated knowing they couldn’t be caught.
This weekend, the Island finish their domestic league campaign with a re-arranged match at Aldershot and Farnham before gearing up for the Hampshire Open League Trophy Cup final on May 3.
Reporter: sport@iwcpmail.co.uk
• Pictures from our online gallery www.iwcpgallery.co.uk below.
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