New Year celebrations with resounding win for North Devon Hockey Club

North Devon Men’s 2s hockey team returned to action with a victory following the festive break, hosting Isca Men’s 6s at Park School.

In bright yet chilly conditions, they picked up where they left off in the best way possible, taking all three points on offer with a confident display.

No sooner had the opening whistle blown than North were on the attack, bearing down on Isca’s defence with fresh legs and purpose. Isca’s seemingly enviable blend of experience and pace, provided by their senior players and youngsters respectively, proved futile in their attempts to break free from the shackles of North’s unshakeable press.

Thwarting their adversaries’ forward forays in the centre, North stood firm and opened their account at the 15-minute mark: Luke Brunton swept the ball towards goal from the top of the D for Craig Carruthers to latch on and slot the ball into the bottom corner past the keeper’s trailing left leg.

Quarrelling among themselves and with the umpires, Isca’s players made no effort to conceal their frustration, much to the hosts’ delight. Seizing on a plethora of defensive mistakes from the visitors, North doubled their lead near the end of the first half when, following a melee in the D, the ball fell to Rob Parsons who struck blisteringly into the bottom corner.

The second half began in a similar vein, with the home side dominating possession, while Isca bemoaned virtually everything. North intercepted many of the away side’s passes and remained steadfast in defence as the visitors pressed ahead in search of a goal of their own.

Undeterred, the defensive line absorbed fleeting bouts of pressure with aplomb, particularly Owen Murphy-Evans down the right side, brilliant throughout. As Isca’s exasperation grew, North sensed an opportunity – one they would soon seize.

The hosts tripled their advantage when, from a superb pass from Parsons near the 16-yard line, Ethan Jones deflected the ball into the net by the post. The final 15 minutes saw the visitors lose their discipline, with rash stick tackles and a green card for protesting (upgraded almost immediately to yellow for stick throwing).

At the full-time whistle, the home players celebrated their poised, polished display together, with plenty of positive words for a much-needed win. A performance they will hope to repeat next week at home against Taunton Vale 5s.