New South Wales thrash Northern Territory by 7-2 in U-21 Men's Australian Hockey Championships
Matthew Willis and Jordan Willot scored two goals apiece to carry New South Wales (NSW) to a commanding 7-2 victory over Northern Territory (NT) in the day one game of the U-21 Men’s Australian Hockey Championship being held in Perth, Australia on July 05, 2011.
It was a different style of game where 90 percent action was taken out in the second half. The first round was comprised of only a single goal.
NSW and NT put their efforts to find consistency in the early minutes. However, the speed increased with the passage of time. After exchanging a harsh offence, the NSW succeeded to establish their dominance over the field in the 2nd minute of the match. Joshua Walters entered into the defensive circle of NT and slammed a drag flick into the net to open the scoring at 1-0.
The strikers from NSW made numerous penetrations against NT in search of expansion. However, the defenders were pretty active at their positions. On the other side, the NT attackers did not carry out many strikes against NSW and played a defensive game. The opening thirty-five minutes ended with NSW sitting at the top with a one goal edge, 1-0.
NSW and NT resumed the play in a fast and furious style. In the 52nd minute of the match, the NSW earned a short-corner and tested Matthew Willis. He was at his best and executed a classic shot which moved comfortably into the left corner of the goal. In a matter of two minutes, Tristan White found him alone in front of the goal and sent a low-flying shot into right corner of the net. The blazing guns of NSW were on fire and put opponent NT under severe pressure. In the 57th minute of the match, Jordan Willot scored off a short-corner and stretched the NSW lead up to four goals, 4-0.
It was quite alarming situation for NT players who were in a shock with back-to-back goals. At last the sleeping attack of NT awakened, but it could not create much impact in the game. Stephen Tonkiss scored a goal in the 58th minute and reduced the lead down to three goals.
The NSW team seems very hazardous in the attacking, as Willot notched another goal in the 61st minute of the match. Dylan Hill of NT converted a short-corner, but to no avail. Oliver Walker and Ross Bougoukas scored one goal each in the 67th and 68th minutes and sealed a 7-2 win for New South Wales.
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