Lithgow Zig Zag went down to Bathurst St Pat’s in their premier league hockey match on Saturday, with St Pat’s benefiting from a little bit of luck to take a 2-0 win.
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Despite the loss, Lithgow Zig Zag co-captain Luke Sheppard said the team was improving.
“It was a tough game, [St Pat’s] only came in with 11 players so credit to them,” he said.
“We tried a new system so we’re just trying to get used to it at the moment and I think we’re getting better and better each week and good things will come.”
St Pat’s Darcy Davis credited the win to good teamwork.
“We’re really happy with the win. Obviously it was a tough game. We only 11 players, so the chips were down but the boys came through - really happy with that,” he said.
“There’s some tough games to come, it’s a really short season. That’s why it so important to win as many games as we can. We’re off to a good start.”
The scores remained tied at half time, despite chances on both sides to open the scoring in the first.
It was a long, lofted ball from St Pat’s Brent Naylor seven minutes into the second half that changed the game. Capitalising on a momentary defensive lapse, it was slotted home by Isaac Darlington.
“They got a bit lucky – hit a post and they were lucky to have someone there,” Sheppard said.
“But we’ve got to be a bit aware of those thing in the future.”
Zig Zag went on the offensive but were unable to convert any of their chances.
A deflected shot off the St Pat’s keeper’s arm saw the ball sailing over the fence with just a minute to go and the Zig Zag team raced to get play moving again in the hope of another chance.
But it was St Pat’s with the final shot, with Blake Davis taking St Pat’s second goal of the match right on the buzzer.
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Zig Zag’s co-captain praised the work of Zac Sharp on the field, but said he was happy with how everyone played.
Zig Zag went into the match second on the table behind the Lithgow Panthers, who will be their next opponent when play resumes after the long weekend bye.
The local derby will be a test for Zig Zag and Sheppard said there were elements to work on.
“Taking our opportunities to score some goals. We had plenty opportunities today but didn’t really convert so that’s something to work on,” he said.
Defence would also be a focus.
”Coming out of the back we really need to work together and just positional wise, and a bit more communication at the back. That really let us down today,” Sheppard said.
Kirsty Horton
A journalist with 15 years of experience, Kirsty Horton has been the editor of the Lithgow Mercury newspaper and a journalist for mastheads including the Great Lakes Advocate, Nambucca Guardian News and Moree Champion. She is now a member of ACM's features and special publications team.
A journalist with 15 years of experience, Kirsty Horton has been the editor of the Lithgow Mercury newspaper and a journalist for mastheads including the Great Lakes Advocate, Nambucca Guardian News and Moree Champion. She is now a member of ACM's features and special publications team.
