It was a fast and fierce encounter as Lithgow Zig Zag hosted top-of-the-table Souths at Lithgow on Saturday, July 28.
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Despite a 6-4 loss to Souths, Zig Zag co-captain Zac Sharp said the run into the finals looked promising for the Lithgow side.
“It’s shaping up pretty good actually, we’re starting to play some good hockey now,” he said.
“It started a bit scattered at the start of the year, with a few byes and that, but we’re starting to play consistently now, so we should go well into the final.”
Zig Zag was in control for the opening minutes, with co-captain Zac Sharp capitalising on early pressure to score just minutes into the game.
Luke Sheppard, who was in blistering form against Panthers last week, claimed Zig Zag’s second to take the team two up.
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Souths Nick McEwen in the Number 1 jersey then kicked into gear in attack, leading his team’s charge back into the game.
Tempers flared at times, with the referee exchanging words with members of both teams.
McEwen claimed two goals and Daniel Carter found the back of the net to take Souths to a 3-2 lead.
Zig Zag’s Eli Shirt equalised and the teams went into half-time on equal terms, 3-3.
Souths were in control early in the second, taking the score to 5-3.
Eli Shirt struck back for Zig Zag to reduce the deficit to a goal, 5-4, but Souths remained on the attack, earning a sixth in the final play of the match.
“We all played well, we were pretty strong in the back, we just fell into their long game towards the end, a few of their overheads put us out of action,” Zig Zag co-captain Zac Sharp said
“We just fell apart at the end there, we were all trying to get the ball and throwing the ball away a bit too much.”
He praised the work of goalkeeper Daniel Grainger, as well as Ben Kelly and Joe Radburn in defence.
Souths’ coach Ray Winwood-Smith said the game was of high quality, as expected.
“It was a high standard, high calibre game, played in good spirits and very, very pleased to come away with the win – more so with how we played and executed our game plan,” he said.
“Jono Bailie had an exceptional game today. I gave him the job of trying to contain Lachie [Sharp], and I think he did a really good job of that.
“Our defence was solid. All the boys were solid in defence.
“Jono Cole was put into a position he’s never been in before and he stood up and played it very well.”
Souths are working towards a home semi-final, something Lithgow Panthers will be trying to deny them when they meet in a fortnight’s time.
BATHURST SOUTHS 6 (Jye Bunt, Nick McEwen 2, Daniel Carter, Riley Carr, Ben Ferguson) def LITHGOW ZIG ZAG 4 (Zac Sharp, Eli Shirt 2, Luke Sheppard).
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.
