Two late goals helped keep unbeaten run of Hot Shots alive

A pair of penalty corners late in the contest helped the HSR Hot Shots remain unbeaten in the Club Glenvale Challenge.

FIRING UP: Josh Bidgood scored two goals in the fourth quarter for the HSR Hot Shots in the Club Glenvale Challenge. Picture: Kevin Farmer

HOCKEY: They were given their sternest test to date, but the HSR Hot Shots were up to the task.

Looking to keep their unbeaten run in the Club Glenvale Challenge alive, the Hot Shots scored on the last play of the game to take a 2-1 over Stafford’s Strikers at Clyde Park.

Needing a win to keep their slim hopes of making the grand final alive, the Strikers came out firing, with Lachlan Brownhalls getting them on the board inside three minutes.

The Hot Shots had to weather the storm, as both teams went through two scoreless periods heading into the fourth.

That’s where Josh Bidgood proved the difference, firstly with his penalty corner strike in the 58th minute, and again with the last play of the game from another short corner.

It keeps the Hot Shots on top with an unblemished 5-0 record, and coach Ryan Williams was left happy with the way his team responded to a pressure situation.

“It was a really good, tight game. The Strikers had nothing to lose and they came out at 100 miles an hour,” Williams said.

“They had us on the backfoot early and it took a long time for us to recover.

“The pleasing thing was that even in a game where things weren’t going for us and we weren’t executing well because of the pressure, we were still managed to claw out a victory.

“At the end of the day I thought the Strikers probably did enough to win it. In that late situation, Josh had been flicking well, and it’s good to be able to execute what we’ve been working on in a pressure situation.

“That’s the first time we’ve trailed in the competition, and I was really interested to see how they would respond.

“Our defence was a highlight. To be able to soak up that pressure and relieve it down the other end.”

They’re set to clash with the AgEtal Farmers in the final, after they recorded a big 10-2 win over the SQPS Scorers.

Carter Mogg scored four goals and Liam Pember had a hat-trick as the Farmers opened up a 9-0 lead inside three quarters.

The final of the women’s division is also set, with the CS Vixens and Scorers both winning their matches at the weekend.

The Vixens were at their explosive best against the Strikers, piling on the goals in an 8-1 win.

Katie Wollstein’s form in front of goal continued with five goals, with Briana Suey also adding a double.

The Scorers didn’t have it as easy against Ruhle’s Rebels, with Amber Suey’s 22nd minute field goal proving the difference between the two sides.

STANDINGS

MEN: Hot Shots (5-0), Farmers (3-2), Scorers (1-4), Strikers (1-4)

WOMEN: Vixens (4-1), Scorers (4-1), Rebels (2-3), Strikers (0-5)

Originally published as Two late goals helped keep unbeaten run of Hot Shots alive