Irish Men narrowly loose to Spain
November 30, 2015
Ireland 2 (Alan Sothern, Gareth Watkins)
Spain 3 (Josep Roneu, David Alegre, Xavi Lleonart)
The Green Machine, who now sit at an all-time high of 12th in the latest world rankings, took on Spain in Barcelona this afternoon in the opening test of the 3 match series. The Spanish side finished the victors in what was a tight 3-2 contest.
The first half was an even affair, reflecting the side-by-side world rankings of the two teams, with Spain just narrowly enjoying more possession. It was the men in green who got the scoreboard ticking in the opening minutes as a darting run down the right wing resulted in a well taken goal by Alan Sothern. The game continued to open up and was more free flowing as both sides enjoyed chances. Spain levelled the game in the 28th minute via a well worked PC drag flick, but the Green Machine came undone in the closing minutes of the half. A counter attack, the result of an unfortunate slip by Harte, led to a second goal 10 seconds before the half time whistle. HT 2-1 to Spain
The equaliser came 4 minutes into the second half courtesy of Gareth Watkins. Gormley, captaining the side, produced a stunning cross-field aerial that found Matthew Bell in the circle. Bell, showing superb 3D skills, drew 2 defenders before squaring the ball back to the penalty spot where Watkins was waiting to smash home. It looked like Alan Sothern had fired Ireland into the lead as his drag flick flew goal-ward but unfortunately pinged off the post and was expertly cleared off the line by the Spanish defence. It was Spain who secured the win in the final minute of the match as a reverse shot across the goal was tapped in by the post man. FT 3-2 to Spain
The 2 sides meet again in the second match of the series on Wednesday at 3pm (CET).
Matches to take place in Junior FC in Barcelona.
· Monday November 30th 15.00(CET)
· Wednesday December 2nd 15.00(CET) (Streamed Live Here )
· Thursday December 3rd 12.00(CET) (Streamed Live Here )
Squad
1Matthew Bell- Banbridge
2Jonny Bell- Lisnagarvey
3Jonny Bruton- Monkstown
4Timmy Cockram-Lisnagarvey
5Stephen Cole-Monkstown
6Jamie Carr(GK)- ThreeRock Rovers
7Chris Cargo -Racing
8Luke Chadwick- ThreeRock Rovers
9David Fitzgerald(GK)-Monkstown
10Maurice Elliott- Beerschot
11Kyle Good-Monkstown
12Ronan Gormley-Krefeld
13Neal Glassey- Lisnagarvey
14Conor Harte-Racing
15Bruce McCandless- Banbridge
16James Lorimer- Lisnagarvey
17Michael Robson- Annadale
18Alan Sothern-Pembroke
19Kirk Shimmins- Pembroke
20Gareth Watkins -Monkstown
Source : Irish Hockey Association
