Injuries hamper Dalefield

Hockey

By Chris Kilford

Marquis Dalefield men's hockey team begin the second round of games in the premier division when they travel to Wellington to take on Indians at the National Hockey Stadium in Newtown.

This is the reverse of the fixture played out two weeks ago.

Dalefield will be encouraged by their second half performance in that earlier game against Indians - when they matched the slick side for goals - but will want to put the memory of conceding six goals in a nightmarish second half 10 minute spell last weekend against Northern United well and truly behind them.

The cause will not be helped by the unavailability of three key players in the Dalefield line-up with Patrick Howard, Hayden Sargent and Aaron Oakley all absent for the fixture.

"Not an ideal situation against a team of that calibre, especially when we haven't been able to put it all together over 70 minutes so far but we'll give it our best shot," said manager Dave Blackwood.

Last weekend's casualty, Liam Workman, is determined to play despite stitches being required for a head wound he received, while the ability of Mitch Blackwood, who is also nursing an injury, will be determined after training.