STAFFORD Hockey Club firsts got the second half of their West Midlands division one campaign off to the worst possible start when crashing 8-2 away Kingswinford on Saturday.
But the game started well for Stafford, who were able to carve out some decent chances against a slow defence. Dan Howe was twice unlucky not to finish from a tight angle. Stafford also won a couple of penalty corners but could not
take advantage, Giles Rowden blasting his shot too wide from the first.
After this, Kingswinford were able to take control and scored at a penalty cor- ner, the forward literally walking his way past the static Stafford defence.
A second goal soon followed when Row- den was guilty of giving the ball away in midfield and the Kingswinford forward made his way into the circle without a challenge and scored a reverse stick.
After that, Stafford continued to press but were caught out with some sloppy counter attack goals.
After half time, Stafford started to create
some pressure and scored when Howe slapped the ball in after a James Gilling- ham pass.
However after that the Stafford defence were shown up when the experienced Kingswinford team were able to pass the ball neatly round at will and score some easy goals.
Stafford got a late consolation when Howe dinked the ball over the keeper. A very poor performance from Stafford who looked sluggish after the Christmas break. This Saturday, Stafford face bottom club Droitwich HC, at Beaconside, with a 1pm push back.
