A second-half goal to Rob Stan-Bishop helped guide North Albany to a narrow win over Vikings in the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association men’s A-grade competition on Saturday.
Redbacks had all the offensive drive in the opening half but neither side could be separated before Stan-Bishop’s conversion in the later stages of the contest sealed his side’s second win of 2023.
The winners were causing an array of problems for an under-pressure Vikings defence early on.
A penalty corner conversion chance on the 10th minute mark went begging for North Albany and they had another opportunity in the closing stages but weren’t able to convert.
Hamish Wilkes was lively early, terrorising the Vikings’ goal circle with dashing runs but their defence held firm.
Vikings responded well in the second quarter and were able to create plenty of their own chances in the opening stages.
Paul Stobie nearly ran the length of the field in a brilliant solo effort but his attacking run was eventually thwarted.
Stan-Bishop’s penalty stroke conversion in the second-half would be all that separated the two outfits with Vikings still searching for a maiden win in 2023.
Hamish Wilkes was outstanding for the Redbacks along with Stan-Bishop and Kaden Patterson.
Matthew Gilfellon, Stobie and Josh Dallimore were the standouts in a losing affair.
Spencer Park continued their perfect start to the season with a 3-1 triumph over Manypeaks.
James Leiper, Brodie Sarre and Mitchell Dolan fired home a goal each while Nicholas Bradbury scored the sole goal for Peaks.
Park were best served by Darren Parkes, Charlie Hudson and Dolan while Peaks’ best contributors were Chris Metcalfe, Oliver Douglas and Joseph Loynes.
In the women’s A-grade competition, North Albany edged out LGSHA with a 3-2 result thanks to a two-goal effort from Michelle Ericsson and a single strike from Kelly Burlikowski.
Isabella Shaw and Natasha Lewis scored for LGSHA.
Felicity Ericsson, Lauren Spinks and Burlikowski shone in the win while Renae Parsons, Astra Campbell and Emmeline Cunnigham were among the best for LGSHA.
Meanwhile, Spencer Park thrashed Manypeaks in the other women’s A-grade match as Sienna Ball bobbed up with two goals in the 4-0 result.
Chloe Bunny and Paige Ogden also found the back of the net while teammates Tallulah Gouldthorp and Georgina Lillford were great contributors as they won their second match of the season.
Renae Sheirdan was best for Peaks while Pippa Wilson and Zoe Mills also stood out in their side’s third loss.