Unwantables' fightback fails to halt Colombians

INVESTEC Colombians are marching towards another Men's Division One crown. The dominant team in hockey over the last few years do not look like they are going to give up their league title following their 5-3 victory over Clubhouse Unwantables at Foote's Lane on Saturday.

Colombians received a slight scare when their opponents came back from three goals down, but second half scores from TJ Ozanne and Chris Gill ensured that they went home the victors.

The yellows' captain, Damian Wallen, was full of praise for Unwantables, who were missing Rob Newton, Andy Alford and Adam Kitching who has moved back to the UK.

'We were 3-0 up after 20 minutes and cruising,' said Wallen.

'I brought myself on and it all went downhill. We were pushing hard, playing well and trying to keep the ball, which we were doing well. Since they were missing Adam, Rob and Andy, three of their main attacking options, they didn't play like a normal Unwantables team. They sat back, soaked up our pressure and waited for us to make a mistake.

'They played very well tactically. If they had gone all out for it, the game would have been like the first 20 minutes.

'It was a good game.'

Gill got the opener for the yellows with a tap-in just inside the post at a scrappy short corner. Defender Chris Colmer and Richard Collenette then added two more for the league champions, who were now in full flow.

Unwantables halted their opponent's momentum when their young midfielder, David Banks, got their first goal with a reverse stick effort. Into the second half and the Colombians' advantage was neutralised when Matt Bains and Jamie Chambers both bagged a goal each.

The champions edged ahead again when Ozanne was adjudged to have been fouled in the blacks' D and a penalty flick was duly awarded.

The island striker had no problems finding the back of the net past burly Unwantables keeper Paul Bullock.

Gill then got his second to take the score up to 5-3, when Ozanne passed the ball past Bullock in a one-on-one situation. Colom-bians were down to 10 men for a time during the second period when midfielder Tim Creasey was sent to the sin bin for clashing with Chambers.

Wallen knows that it looks very unlikely that anyone can stop Colombians from getting their hands on the league trophy come the end of the season.

'Mathematically, we've not yet quite won the league, but it would be very disappointing if we didn't go on and win it now.'