AFTER putting away eight goals against defending premiers Lithgow Panthers last week, St Pat’s would have every reason to feel confident of snaring the 2014 men’s Premier League Hockey title, but according to Saints stalwart Shane Conroy, his side are not thinking that far ahead.
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Instead they are doing their best to focus on one week at a time, which means the current goal is making sure they beat Lithgow Zig Zag at the Cooke Hockey Complex today.
It is something the Saints’ current form suggests they should do easily.
It is no secret that Pat’s and Panthers share an intense rivalry and this season’s minor premiership has developed into a battle between the two.
They were on equal points heading into last Saturday’s match in Lithgow, but the Saints produced one of their best performances on the Panthers’ turf to move four clear.
To get an idea of how impressive it was for them to net eight goals, through the first 10 rounds of the competition the Panthers’ defence had been breached just 15 times.
However, Conroy and his team-mates are trying to play down any talk of favouritism after that result.
“There is still a long way to go in the season yet, so everyone was back in training this week and working hard and thinking about our next game,” he said.
“We are just taking it week by week at the moment ... we are trying to keep our feet on the ground.”
While the Saints are the outright competition leaders, Zig Zag are sitting in last place with one win and a draw from 11 rounds.
However, that draw came against the Saints, so Conroy knows he and his team-mates must be ready for a challenge today.
“They have been a bit of a bogey team for us. We put a few goals on them last time we played them, but the game before that they drew with us,” he said.
“They are a team that never gives up, so we have got to be on our toes.
“They are just very physical and always turn up to play. They have probably got the best goalkeeper in the competition as well, so we will be looking to try and get one past him early and hurt his confidence a bit.”
After Daniel Casey impressed in goals for the Saints last Saturday, he will miss today’s game. The custodian’s job will be filled by Travis Cartwright, a player in whom Conroy has plenty of confidence.
“Travis has played in goals for us before and he is a good young talent, so he will do a good job,” Conroy said.
Brendan Burke is the only other player missing from the side which beat Panthers.
Today’s game will get underway at 1.50pm at the Cooke Hockey Complex.
