Stock image.
Camera IconStock image. Credit: Supplied/Getty Images

Hockey: Melville City blows chance to escape relegation zone

Headshot of Josh Zimmerman
Josh ZimmermanMelville Gazette

MELVILLE City was soundly beaten 6-2 by the ladder-leading University Hockey Club in what was a disappointing afternoon for the Club at Morris Buzzacott Reserve on Sunday.

Winning the game would have taken Melville out of the relegation zone for the first time since the start of the year and with so much to play for, the team started brightly and converted a penalty corner in the first few minutes of the game through Matthew Willis to take the lead.

Melville continued to press the more highly fancied University team through the first half, with both sides creating chances, one of which was converted by University to make the half-time score 1-1.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

After the break, Ryan Hyder re-established Melville’s lead, finishing off some excellent play by Evan Kelly with a field goal to make the score 2-1.

The turning point in the game came a few minutes later when Melville created an excellent opportunity to increase the lead but did not convert.

University took the ball directly up the field from the turnover and scored to level the game and from that point dominated, scoring a further four goals in 20 minutes.

Melville coach Russell Lee was devastated after the game.

“We had an opportunity today to repay our supporters’ faith in us and let them down,” he said.

“Conceding five goals in 20 minutes, as meekly as we did, is unacceptable and should be a cause for considerable reflection among the playing group this week.

“We simply must win next weekend.”

MORE: National Missing Persons Week: Rigby Fielding’s family looking for answers

MORE: The WA couple touted as the ones to beat in The Block 2017

MORE: E-Waste collection on August 5