IT took two goals in the final five minutes, but Souths managed to avoid their second draw with Lithgow Zig Zag in as many weeks with a 3-1 win on Saturday afternoon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Playing at Bob Roach Field against the same team they drew 4-all with six days earlier in men’s Premier League Hockey, Souths rallied late to take the points.
And important points they were too as they put Souths six points clear of fourth-placed Zig Zag.
“It was a tough game and both teams were potentially playing for second position. I am very pleased with boys, they dug in, played well and came up with the win,” Souths coach Ray Winwood-Smith said.
“I think it was a game of patience and we didn’t have patience in the first half. In the second half we held the ball more and tried to be more consistent.
“We also went wide instead of going through the middle and as soon as we went wide, we got the opportunities and things started to happen.”
While Souths went into the match missing Mike Stanford and Daniel Carter due to injury, they were boosted by the inclusion of Sydney player Nathan Bourke.
He looked threatening up front in the opening half, but neither he or his team-mates were able to find a way around Zig Zag goalkeeper Luke Thurtell.
Zig Zag also had their chances but could not convert either, goalkeeper John Rudge coming up with a one-on-one block 15 seconds out from half-time to deny Brandon Lloyd.
In the second half Souths looked to use more width and though creating chances, still had trouble beating Thurtell.
It took an Adam Campbell penalty stroke – which Thurtell actually got a glove on – to open scoring.
Zig Zag hit back via Chris Williams with 20 minutes left as he scored off their third penalty corner of the match to make it 1-all.
It took late goals from Edu Garriga Viudes and Bourke to get Souths over the line.
