Kristy Anderson will return for Dalefield’s match against Harbour City. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
HOCKEY
CHRIS COGDALE
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Building on last weekend’s first win in the Wellington premier men’s hockey championship is the aim for Dalefield as they prepare for today’s home match against Naenae.
Despite the 9-1 scoreline against Victoria, Dalefield were far from perfect.
Co-manager Bernie Lett said player-coach Dane Lett, who will miss today’s match, was happy with the result but was disappointed they didn’t make the most of the goal-scoring opportunities presented to them.
“The focus will be working on our strategies and how we want to play,” Bernie Lett said.
He expects Naenae to be one of the stronger teams in the league but knows little about the team.
“They have Hemant Lala, the Capital NHL coach, and he has brought a few new guys into the team, including some from the old Kapiti Coast team but I’m not sure what to expect.”
Naenae started their season with a 1-6 loss to defending champions, Hutt.
Apart from Dane Lett’s absence due to the World Hockey League, being played in Argentina, Dalefield will be at full strength.
The match will start at Clareville at 2.45pm today.
Meanwhile, in the early match at Clareville, Dalefield women’s coach Michael O’Connor is confident of making it two from two but is anticipating a stern challenge from Harbour City.
Dalefield started with a 3-0 win over new side, Northern United, while Harbour City had a 1-1 draw with Toa.
O’Connor watched the draw with Toa and said Harbour City were an experienced team with as many as six national hockey league players.
“We’re not going to have as much time. Harbour City like to get in your face, so we’ll have to be quicker and more accurate with our passing. We have to get our game plan right.
“I’m very confident. I have a lot of faith. The younger players are listening and learning from the experienced players and there’s a really good attitude in the team,” he said.
Captain Katherine van Woerkom and Wairarapa College pupil Reese Robertson, who was last Saturday’s player of the match, will be missing for the game.
Their absence has been negated somewhat with the return of the experienced and highly-talented sisters, Kristy and Jenna Anderson.
The match starts at Clareville at 1pm.
