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Photos: Tom Wooldridge
The two Halifax teams had seen off challenges from the other strong college teams to make it an all-‘Fax final. Both sides were engineered to be of an equal standard so things were always going to be close.
Just how close could not have been predicted and a goal five seconds from the end meant the second team scraped a 2-1 victory, especially as the 1sts had to play with five men instead of six.
The predictably well-matched teams both started strong. The 1sts had an early opportunity through Dong-Oh Shin who, in his role as high forward, had a clear run at goal but was denied by a very quick Michelle Myers. This was to be repeated throughout the match; both teams were to have chances at goal through breaks but were denied by skilful defending.
Joe Lancaster and Hannah Boyne worked brilliantly in defence for the 1sts, stopping the few plays that got through Cat Johnson.
Johnson scored the first goal of the match for the 1sts. Upon venturing out from defence, she was left in space on the left wing. She drove it down the line and scored from the post.
Both teams had further chances in the first half but none culminated in goals. The second half started with a sustained attack from the 1st team, they were very quick and found spaces in the 2nd team’s defence. However, desperate and dogged effort staved off goals.
The 2nds had a chance from Nick Finill whose shot was saved by the indomitable Joe Lancaster. Hannah Boyne proved her worth soon after by driving 2nds forward James McNeill wide of the post and stopping an equaliser.
An exchange between Alex Francis and Nick Finill proved to be the turning point of the match. Francis defeated the 2nds’ defence and went to finish with a reverse sweep. The crowd reacted before the shot had even been made, it seemed certain that Francis would not miss the open goal. What everyone did not count on was Nick Finill, who dived spectacularly in the way of Francis’ shot and knocked it wide.
The newly emboldened 2nd team equalised soon afterwards. Isaac Barker had his first shot saved off the line but his second hit a defender’s foot on the line and the 2nds were awarded a penalty goal.
Time ticked on and talked turned on the side lines to extra time. With ten seconds to go Halifax 2nds were in their opposition’s third. McNeill launched a shot from the top of the D and it swung just past the 1sts’ sticks.
Five seconds later the final whistle blew. It was an incredibly close and exciting match, testament to the standard of Halifax hockey in general.
2nds captain Helen Marston commented that she was “gutted for Halifax 1sts, they played so well all tournament every week and it was great to see so much support”. Hannah Boyne said that “we played so well and I am really proud of the team, it was a great achievement to have two ‘Fax teams in the final”.
Vision MOTM: Nick Finill