Results were not the only thing occupying minds at Penarth Hockey Club last weekend, as the two teams in action donned unfamiliar colours in support of cancer victims.

PENARTH 2-3 Cheltenham

After falling 5-4 to Clifton Robinsons in heart-breaking fashion the previous weekend, Penarth’s 1st XI were keen to get back to winning ways in the Verde Recreo Premiership, but knew to expect a tough challenge against another team that was playing in National League West last season.

Cheltenham came to Stanwell boasting an unbeaten record on the season, albeit one that saw them sitting second in the standings through four games, while the Bears started the day a handful of places further back although not too far adrift on points in a tightly-packed top half of the division.

Despite being forced onto the back foot throughout the early exchanges, Cheltenham eventually found themselves a goal up after 25 minutes, capitalising on a rare chance on goal to seize the advantage, while Penarth were unable to convert their own scoring opportunities and headed into half-time chasing the game in a bid not to drop away from the leading pack.

 

As the second period progressed, it became clear that the majority of the possession was going to be fought out in the middle of the field, with rare chances popping up for both sides. After an hour, however, Penarth clawed themselves back into the game, with Chris Baker’s cross finding Andy Willemite, who neatly supplied forward Matt Gray for his second goal in as many weeks. The strike back was met with an almost instantaneous response though as, after a swift attack, Cheltenham managed to bundle the ball over the line, albeit in controversial fashion, to retake the lead.

Penarth’s protestations regarding the nature of the goal only resulted in the home side finding themselves down to ten men and they quickly paid the price, with Cheltenham extending their advantage to 3-1. The goal came close to the end of the sin bin period and, with captain Tom Haran restored to the fray after sitting out five minutes on behalf of his aggrieved team-mates, a full-strength Penarth side threw everything they could at their opponents.

Haran was instrumental in reducing the deficit too, as his drive ball across goal found the stick of Matthew Stollery, whose final touch brought the hosts back to within a goal. Spurred on by the breakthrough – and the exhortations of the small crowd shivering on the frigid sidelines – the Bears launched a whole-hearted attempt to steal at least a point from the game, only to run out of time and fall to a second consecutive one-goal defeat.

The setback drops the Vale side to eighth in division ahead of a must-win encounter with old rivals Cardiff University at Talybont Sports Park this Saturday. With the students on the same points as the Bears, putting two frustrating weeks behind them will go a long way to restoring Penarth’s push at the right end of the table.

Goalscorers: Matthew Gray, Matthew Stollery

Stroud 2-4 PENARTH ‘A’

Ahead of the weekend, Penarth’s 2nd XI sat in a tie for second overall in De Cymru & The Marches 2 with the Stroud side they would face that afternoon, separated from the position only on goal difference, so knew a win on Saturday would see them leapfrog their hosts into the promotion places.

Like the 1st XI, the Bears played in pink socks rather than their usual green, and with goalkeeper Calum Grant wearing a custom jersey featuring the ‘pink ribbon’, to raise awareness of breast cancer – a gesture organised by Sam Docherty in support of Penarth striker David Joyce’s girlfriend Caroline Elder, who recently revealed that she is fighting the disease.

With several regular players missing the trip to Gloucestershire, Penarth called up Lewis Ingram and Joe Ramage – two players who have come through Penarth’s enviable youth system in the past 18 months – for their first taste of 2nd XI action, but found themselves on the back foot as their hosts made the better start. The Bears were able to soak up the pressure, however, and waited for their opportunity to catch Stroud on the break.

The first opportunity came when Dave Stevens broke down an attack on halfway, launching a counter attack that resulted in Joyce uncharacteristically putting his shot wide of the mark, but it didn’t take long for Penarth to get the breakthrough. This time Docherty took a quick 16 hit, throwing an impressive aerial which saw Joyce drive into the D and strike a ferocious shot which, despite being well saved by the Stroud ‘keeper, fell kindly for Jasminder Singh to convert the rebound.

Penarth had a second soon after, again with Docherty quickest to react from a 16, firing a pass to Singh on the halfway line who, in turn, found Sam Chick open on the left wing. Chick was able to pick out Joyce in the home area, and the forward beat his marker before slipping the ball past the ‘keeper for a 2-0 lead.

The second half saw more of the same, with Stroud dominating possession but struggling to break down a resolute Penarth defence, with the back four of Docherty, Stevens, Ethan Ayrton and Tom Griffiths limiting the home side to half-chances. With Tom Parkinson, Ramage and man-of-the-match James Broad also breaking down countless attacks in midfield, it allowed Penarth the platform to continue counter-attacking, and that eventually provided a third goal midway through the half, as Singh’s aerial pass to Aaron Fulton-Brown was moved on to Chick in the D, before the striker’s goal-bound effort was deflected past the ‘keeper by Joyce for his second of the day.

At 3-0 down, Stroud applied even more pressure on a Penarth side which, having had so little possession all game, were starting to show signs of fatigue. The extra urgency resulted in a flurry of penalty corners which forced a string of fine stops from Grant, but the ‘keeper was eventually beaten on the rebound following a well-saved drag flick.

Having reduced the deficit, Stroud had their tails up and attacked relentlessly, so a fourth counter-attack goal came as a major relief for the Bears. Griffiths’ well-timed challenge won a free hit in the defensive 25, and the youngster then fired a huge aerial to find Lewis Ingram, who skinned his marker and dinked the ball over the out-rushing keeper for a superb debut goal.

Stroud continued to attack to the end and, even with a restored three-goal deficit, never gave up on taking something from the game. Penarth were forced to defend deep, but the English side still won penalty corners and eventually grabbed a second goal, again on the rebound following an initial save from Grant. At 4-2, Stroud then almost grabbed a third, which would have given them real hope of salvaging a draw but, with Grant beaten, Docherty was on hand to make a superb goal-line clearance and the visitors were able to see the game out for a hard-fought that cements them in second spot overall.

Penarth would like to extend their thanks to the Stroud team who, following the game, generously donated their fines to Caroline Elder’s Go Fund Me campaign to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. If any readers wish to make a similar donation, they can find a link to the campaign as a pinned tweet on the Penarth Hockey Club Twitter feed (@PenarthHockey), or by going to https://www.gofundme.com/-my-story

Goalscorers: Jasminder Singh, David Joyce (2), Lewis Ingram

After a week with just two teams in action, Penarth will return to full Verde Recreo strength this Saturday, with the 1st XI leading the way at Tal-y-Bont as they take on Cardiff University (1.30pm start). The 2nd and 3rd XIs lead the home slate, facing Whitchurch and Neath respectively in top-of-the-table clashes (1.45pm and 3.30pm starts), while the Fourths travel to Gwent looking to protect top spot in De Cymru3 (2.30pm start). The 5th XI, meanwhile, is scheduled to play Whitchurch at Stanwell in the day’s earliest fixture (10.15am start).

Penarth Hockey Club always welcomes new, old and returning players, umpires, supporters, friends and helpers regardless of age and ability. Training takes place at Stanwell on Wednesdays, with the juniors on the pitch between 6.15pm and 7.15pm and the seniors between 7.00pm and 8.15pm.

Anyone interested in joining the club at senior or youth level can contact club secretary Dave Stevens (d_stevens81@hotmail.co.uk) for further information.

My name is Caroline. I’m 32, I live in South Wales with my partner Jasper and our 3 fur babies (two cats and a crazy chocolate lab). Life recently decided to throw a curve ball at me and I have been diagnosed with cancer.

Thank you for reading my story and please help me raise money for Macmillan by donating.