1st Team Vs Teign

North Devon HC 1st suffered yet another disappointing narrow defeat last weekend, losing 3-2 away to Teign HC.

North Devon did not help themselves with a dreadful start, going 2-0 down within two minutes of the start. Complacency saw the Teign attack walk through the North Devon defence and score easily.

Thankfully after that, North Devon woke up and began to play some hockey, good work from Gus Napier and Ben Cox on the wings saw North Devon create some chances.  They reduced the arrears through a trademark Guy Cockcroft shot at a penalty corner.

Teign then grabbed a third goal, great movement in the circle and a powerful shot gave Sam Wormington in goals no chance.

A much better performance in the second half, saw North Devon put concerted pressure on the Teign defence.  Unfortunately Ben Cox then suffered a hamstring injury and North Devon were in essence down to ten players.

Tenacious defending by Mike Cuthbertson, Matt Brown and Giles Rowden saw the Teign attacks snuffed out.  North Devon thought they had grabbed a second goal after Cockcroft finished from close range but the umpires whistle brought the game back for an earlier infringement.

North did grab a second after Jay Corden’s shot was brilliantly deflected into the goal by Phil Brand.

By the end Teign were hanging on but despite a couple of late corners, North Devon could not grab an equaliser.

A great performance for 68 minutes of the game, North Devon were upbeat afterwards. Next week they are at home to Yeovil and Sherborne, 2.30pm pushback at Park School.