Lithgow Zig Zag absorbed sustained attacking pressure Souths piled on them after the break in their men’s Premier League Hockey match to post a 2-1 win at Bob Roach Field in Bathurst.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It was the first time Souths had lost to Zig Zag since the opening round of the 2016 competition and handed the Lithgow team the Premier League Home Cup, which team manager Brian Kelly said was the first time Zig Zag had claimed it.
“We retain it until we are beaten at home,” he said.
“Hopefully that will be a long time.”
Zig Zag opened the scoring after just five minutes when a nice cross picked out Eli Shirt unmarked on the far post.
Souths centre forward Nick McEwen, who had an absorbing battle with Zig Zag fullback Ben Kelly throughout the match, came up with the equaliser on 13 minutes.
He dived to connect with a Jono Cole cross, his effort turning the ball into the net.
That was one of eight circle penetrations Souths had for the half. While McEwen and Cole both fired in on target shots as it unfolded, Zig Zag goalkeeper Adrian Baker was up to the task.
It was at the 20 minute mark that Zig Zag reclaimed the lead with what was to be the match-winning goal. Luke Sheppard’s perfectly placed penalty corner drag flick found the mark to make it 2-1.
Zig Zag had another penalty corner just before the break but Souths custodian John Rudge was up to the task.
In Souths’ case, it took 49 minutes to get their chance from the set play. But Zig Zag’s defence stood firm and also shut down two more penalty corners which followed.
Brian Kelly said Zig Zag would be working on putting a few more wins on the board after a first round loss to Panthers at home.
Like the Panthers line-up, Zig Zag expects to see a bit of a rotating roster, as players explore opportunities in Sydney and further afield.
