News
24th October 2007
CHELTENHAM 1 CARDIFF AND UWIC 0
CHELTENHAM gained their first league victory of the season against last year's champions Cardiff.
After some disappointing results so far this season, which have not reflected the flowing hockey Cheltenham have shown, the home side dug deep to kick-start their season.
Cardiff controlled the first five minutes of the game but Cheltenham broke quickly with a run from Alex Hay.
His fine pass then found Richard Fynn, who finished sharply to give the home team the lead.
Cardiff then started to push forward, winning some short corners, but they were leaving themselves slightly open at the back to allow Bryan to break from midfield, ably joined by Gower and Pierce.
The second half was of the same pattern to that of the first, with Cheltenham soaking up pressure before launching dangerous counter attacks.
It took some fine saves from Rooke to keep the home side in the lead. Cheltenham could have doubled their lead when Fynn found Lawford, whose deflection was cleverly stopped.
Cheltenham then closed out the game, despite being reduced to eight men at one stage.
