Hockey

Caradon Men 4

Plympton Grammar School

Old Boys 1

Back down to third place Caradon Men face an uphill struggle to regain the top spot in the league after being fined six points just before Christmas.

The new year got off to a good start when they beat Truro 8-1 last week but they knew that the game against PGSOB would be more of a challenge, as they were only one of the few teams Caradon didn't beat the first time they met.

With the determination to win this time, Caradon had to work hard to keep possession of the ball as the visitors seemed focused on keeping their place above them in the league.

However, Caradon's defence was more than a match for the Plymouth side and denied the goal they were desperate for. Caradon fared better pushing in the PG's half and it wasn't long until Leon Farrow scored the opener for the home team and the tide changed in their favour.

The pressure was now all one way as Caradon pushed the visitors back well inside their own half and it wasn't too much longer before Farrow struck again and scored his second of the day. Caradon took this two-goal lead into the half-time break and were feeling confident.

PGSOB started the second half full of determination to claw back the deficit but again Caradon's defence shut the door on them, leaving them no opportunity to score. Caradon were able to recycle the ball quickly through the midfield but their finishing in the PG's circle was somewhat lacking, as wild swings at the ball saw shots flying past an open goal on more than one occasion. Caradon eventually found the goal when Brian Dannan scored against his old club, taking Caradon's tally to three.

PGSOB managed to battle their way into the home circle and win a penalty corner when the ball hit the foot of a Caradon defender.

The initial shot was stopped by the Caradon keeper but the PGs managed to pick up the rebound, the prone keeper got a glove to the ball but deflected it into the net away from a waiting defender.

PGSOB were hoping for a resurgence in their game from this goal but it was too little too late as the home team put the game well out of their reach. Farrow again fought through the PG's midfield and fired off a rocket of a cross to a waiting Neil Spencer, unmarked on the post, who, with some skillful stick work, deflected the ball into the visitors' goal. With the score 4-1 to Caradon the game was sewn up.

This win moves Caradon up into second place, knowing that Saturday's away fixture to Dart will prove to be another tough game as they continue to chase down the top spot.