IN a high quality game the Goulburn Geckos fought out a tense three all draw against Western District Hockey Club at the Goulburn Hockey Complex last Saturday.
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Knowing to win or draw would be enough to secure a semifinal place the Geckos started strongly and after seven minutes Jake Staines scored with some good lead up play by Steve Downey and Glenn Turner.
Nine minutes gone Wests make their first inroads into the Geckos circle and were awarded a penalty corner, but the shot went wide.
The Geckos started applying more pressure on the West’s defence, moving the ball around with quick passing moves.
At the 12 minute mark the Geckos receive the first of two back to back penalty corners but West’s keeper Lachlan Johnstone thwarted both goal attempts.
A couple of minutes later Glenn Turner saw an opportunity and made a run into West’s circle but his shot on goal is saved by Lachlan Johnstone.
At the 20 minute point Turner made another run into West’s circle, drew the keeper and passed the ball to Jake Humphries who taped it in.
This put Goulburn ahead two goals to nil.
Wests had a chance to score when they were awarded a penalty corner, but keeper Shaun Anable saved the shot.
Two minutes from halftime the Geckos pushed their score to three to nil when Kurt Devlin and Glenn Turner combine to set up Dean Evans to score.
Second half starts with the Geckos on the attack and after a promising move Jake Staines back hand just missed.
With forty minutes of the game gone Adam Baxter, Anand Gupte and Casey Younie were starting to break down the Geckos raids, giving their strikers Garry Backhus and Andrew Stead opportunities to pressure the Goulburn defence.
The game was changing and to their credit West’s scored through Andrew Stead after a good team effort, pegging back the Geckos lead to three goals to one.
All the momentum was now with Wests and in the 45th minute Matt McLaughlin scored after a good passing move. Goulburn was just one point ahead.
The Geckos were finding it hard to penetrate West’s circle and Wests were on their game.
Goulburn’s keeper Shaun Anable was kept on his toes and made two fine saves, but in the 55th minute Wests drew level when a hard drive from Casey Younie found the backboard.
This leveled the score at three goals each.
This set up an exciting finish with the Geckos knowing they can’t afford to lose and West’s could possibly take out the minor premiership with a win.
Three minutes from fulltime the Geckos had a chance to snatch victory but the shot went wide.
It was a great fight back by Wests, with Goulburn looking very good in the first half.
With semi finals starting in two weeks time I urge all hockey fans to come and watch what I think will be, high quality and exciting games with any team to take out the premiership.
Best for Goulburn was Aaron Kershaw, Glenn Turner and Jake Staines.
Best for Wests was Anand Gupte, Casey Younie and keeper Lachlan Johnstone.