Although the new pitch looked in excellent condition, the cold and wet afternoon was not ideal for good hockey. Despite this, the Strikers approached the match in a positive frame of mind. After all they were coming off a draw and a win in the two previous rounds, whilst remembering that the Round 2 encounter against MCC was a torrid draw at Melbourne High.

At the three minute mark, Jesse Workman was in position to convert easily from a good cross pass and this established the base for a solid performance. Not long after, Matt L’Huillier’s drag flick PC gave the Demon’s ‘keeper no chance and the opportunistic McHardy goal mid-way through the half gave the Strikers a commanding 3-1 lead at half time. The MCC’s only first half goal was a well executed deflection PC.

Early in the second half, the game was played mostly in mid-field with both sides looking to make a break-through. The Demon’s did exert the greater pressure with a few more shots at goal. This concerted effort produced their other goals: one, a field goal and another, a PC in the dying minutes of the match. The Strikers ought to have been able to nullify this last thrust by MCC and keep the score line to better reflect their earlier supremacy.

A positive from this match was that the turn-over count showed the home side had worked harder in mid-field than in previous games, thereby having more of the ball. As the Strikers come to grips with the tempo of a higher standard of MPL hockey, they will, with confidence, give a better account of themselves. And theoretically, being out of the relegation zone, they can now concentrate on greater balance between attack and defence to show their true standing in the grade.

Goals:

Workman (F 3.40)
L’Huillier (PC 11.08) & (PC 47.19)
McHardy (F 17.10)

Result: SUHC 4 – defeated MCC 3