SOUTHS gave their for and against record a healthy boost on Saturday as they beat men’s Premier League Hockey rivals Dubbo 9-1 at Bob Roach Field.
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With Souths currently locked in a battle with St Pat’s and Lithgow Zig Zag for second place on the ladder, every goal is important.
So while the two blues did miss some chances against Dubbo - they converted five of 10 penalty corners – coach Ray Winwood-Smith was more than satisfied with the final score.
“There was probably another four or five we should of had that we didn’t convert on, but in saying that, I am happy with that score,” he said.
“The boys played well, they played in good spirit and they did the things we had been working on in training.
“Dubbo are actually a good side, they play a good structure and you can’t underestimate them. They are always going to put you under pressure at times and they did, their one-outs and their breakaways were quite effective,” Winwood-Smith said.
Dubbo went into Saturday’s match looking for their first win of the season and gave themselves some early hope when they opened scoring.
Kyle McKenzie found the top left hand corner of the net with a well aimed penalty corner drag flick in the ninth minute.
But Edu Garriga Viudes equalised four minutes later with a nice reverse shot and in the seven minutes that followed, Souths piled on another three goals.
By half-time the hosts had shot out to a 5-1 lead with Jono Baillie, Jono Cole, Dan Carter and Chris Hanrahan all joining Garriga Viudes on the scoresheet.
Dubbo continued to toil in the second half, Hayden Lew making some strong tackles and smart clearances, but Souths’ weight of possession led to more goals.
Garriga Viudes added a second with a drag flick, Andy Cranston scored from a penalty stroke, while Kerrod Ferguson and Mike Stanford also found the mark.