North Devon Hockey Club moving up the table

North Devon Hockey Club recovered from a half-time deficit to deservedly defeat Ashmoor at Park School on the weekend. 

The home team dominated play in the first half, however, poor basic skills in front of goal saw them unable to capatilise. A quick break from the visitors earned them a short-corner, which they duly converted to leave the score at 1-0 come half-time.

After the break, North Devon moved the ball better and kept believing in the process. Guy Cockcroft equalised from a penalty corner and Ben Cox soon added another, dribbling around three players and slotting in, for North Devon to take the lead.

North Devon kept the pressure and with slick passing Joe Taylor-Richards added a third. Guy Cockcroft added a second to his goal tally with a well-placed strike in the bottom corner. North Devon now sit mid-table in seventh.

Written by Gerrie De Beere

North Devon 2nds travelled to Totnes to meet Dart in a match that, in spite of the visitors’ tenacity and persistence, ended in a 5-1 loss. The scoreline, however, does not reveal the whole story, marked as it was by effective play by the away team that, ultimately, went unrewarded.

The first half was well contested with the visitors edging the game in terms of passing and forward press. That said, the hosts were able to break the deadlock to take the lead. Regardless, North Devon battled back with their characteristic poise through a nice equaliser provided by Ethan Jones up top.

The first half ebbed and flowed but the hosts snagged a foothold to lead 2-1 at the break. Positive words were shared, emphasising that the home team’s lead was fortuitous and that there was plenty to build on going into the second period of the game.

The second half began with a similar to-and-fro, with both teams making effective strides through the middle and up and down the flanks, putting together some very decent hockey. That said, the hosts were able to seize on space they were afforded and tucked another two goals past the visitors in quick succession.

While North Devon ploughed on with determination and continued to communicate well, the dynamic shifted somewhat and the home side generally controlled the rest of the game, adding a further two goals to their tally to round off a 5-1 win.

Reconvening afterwards, the group rightly highlighted the positives of the first half, which, in more favourable circumstances, would have certainly steered the match their way.

Written by Craig MacDonald