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Hockey: Howard strikes late to clinch TDA’s only win
Marcus Howard scored in all four games for TDA. Photo: Peterborough ET
THOMAS Deacon Academy (TDA) found the going tough at the National Indoor Schools Finals at Crawley but director of hockey Mike Yeoman was full of praise for his side.
TDA finished fourth of five teams in their group, winning one and drawing one of their four matches, so failed to progress to the semi-finals.
Yeoman, who guided the school to the Under 16 finals last year - with six of the same squad - said: “What we have learned is that it’s a big step up from Under 16s as these schools ‘buy in’ their star players and we will always struggle against this.
“It was a massive achievement just getting there and the boys competed against the very best for long periods of the matches.
“I’m extremely proud of the boys this season.”
TDA began with a tough test against last year’s finalists Cranleigh, who included three England international athletes in their squad.
The city school opened the scoring though when Matt Porter’s long ball found Chris Pepper who fired home.
Cranleigh fought back to beat Nathan Stephenson twice to go 2-1 ahead but vice-captain Marcus Howard equalised to leave the sides level at the break.
The second half was a different story though as Cranleigh scored four without reply to clinch a 6-2 success.
TDA picked up their first point of the weekend next time out, drawing 3-3 with Dean Close.
Indeed they dominated for much of the game and were disappointed not to win.
Howard gave TDA an early lead but again they went in level at the break.
David Fisher made it 2-1 and Pepper extended the lead but they could not quite hold on.
A Dean Close shot beat Michael Kowalski but hit skipper Jordan Heald on the line, meaning a penalty stroke was given.
Kowalski made a fantastic save but TDA hopes were then dealt a blow when Porter was sent off for ‘drilling’ the ball into an opponent.
Dean Close were awarded another penalty flick and this time made no mistake and there was a further blow for TDA when they were pegged back to 3-3.
TDA frantically tried to grab a winner in the dying stages but couldn’t quite make it.
Sunday, like Saturday, began with a 6-2 defeat for TDA as they went down to a Bromsgrove side featuring seven Germans.
Although falling behind, TDA again went into the break on level teams after Ben Newman kept his cool to score from a penalty flick awarded when Joe Houghton was taken out by the keeper.
Bromsgrove began the second half impressively, scoring from two short corners and then adding another with a chipped shot.
Howard reduced the arrears from a short corner and a blatant foul then led to Bromsgrove being reduced to five players.
Howard was then fouled in front of an open goal and was stunned when nothing was given. TDA were pushing forward at every opportunity but were hit on the break as Bromsgrove went 5-2 up and they later added another to produce a final scoreline that flattered them.
TDA at least ended the weekend with a victory, beating Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS) 3-2.
Birthday boy Nathan Foad put TDA ahead following good work by Newman and Fisher doubled the lead at the second attempt, his first effort hitting the keeper.
Just as TDA were looking comfortable, QEGS pulled one back but the city school at least went into the break ahead for the first time - meaning they had never been behind at half-time all weekend.
The Wakefield school, looking for their first point of the weekend, did level soon after the break following a defensive mishap from Heald but TDA increased the tempo and went on to grab a late winner.
Heald atoned for his mistake by running through from the back to win a short corner which the reliable Howard dispatched to earn a deserved victory.
TDA may not have played to their potential during the weekend but at times they produced some very good hockey.
Many of the youngsters will return to the same venue with City of Peterborough this weekend for the National Clubs Under 18 Finals while the Under 16s go to Wolverhampton.
TDA squad - Nathan Stephenson, Michael Kowalski, Matt Porter, Jordan Heald, Marcus Howard, Ben Newman, Joe Houghton, David Fisher, Chris Pepper, Nathan Foad, Ainsley Augustine, Henry Ricketts.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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