Three goals in the opening five minutes was the story in the Mangapai-Hora Hora match.
Three goals in the opening five minutes was the story in the Mangapai-Hora Hora match.
If you were late you would have missed all the action in Mangapai's 5-3 win over Hora Hora in their reserve men's hockey match.
It was a frantic first half which saw three goals scored within the first five minutes.
Mangapai player/coach Hamish Anderson said both sides started the gameat speed with Hora Hora scoring a minute into the game but Mangapai striking back a minute later.
Mangapai used their experienced players up the spine of the field to strengthen their game with Anderson stating "we tried not to carry it in the middle too much because they are pretty strong in the middle of the field".
The game plan worked as Mangapai piled on five first half goals in the 35 minute goal fest to take a 5-2 lead into the break of the Thursday night match.
In the second half Mangapai slowed the game down and despite changing their structure to relieve tired legs, and with the help of young goalkeeper Lachlan Martin, managed to keep Hora Hora's fast paced attacks out for most of the half.
Anderson said "our young keeper is new to the team and playing really well. He's getting his confidence there and made a couple of cracking saves".
In other reserve men's games on Thursday, Maungakaramea beat Whangarei Boys' High School 9-1 and Springfield snuck past Bream Bay 3-2.
In the reserve A women's grade on Friday, Parihaka beat Kamo High School 1-0 and Hikurangi beat Springfield 4-0 while Maungakaramea beat Mangapai 10-0 and Old Girls battled to a 1-all draw with Whangarei Girls' High School.
