5th October 2009
Plymouth Marjon v Whitchurch: Naughalty double helps Whitchurch to a deserved 4-1 win
A devastating spell of three goals in ten minutes midway through the second period powered Whitchurch to a fine 4-1 win at Plymouth Marjon in their latest EHL encounter. Whitchurch started the game confidently and Joe Naughalty and Ben Croxall went close to scoring in the opening five minutes. It was Plymouth who drew first blood, though, ex-GB international Calum Giles opening up the Whitchurch defence with a telling pass to the right for Ed Long to open the scoring in the 7'. Whitchurch continued to test the Plymouth defence with some probing passes from Jon Collis and Naughalty in midfield, and Rhys Gowman was a constant threat in the opposing 25. Ten minutes before the break Whitchurch pulled level, Alex Keating reacting the quickest to score from the rebound after a fine save by the Plymouth keeper. Whitchurch continued to dominate and took a decisive grip on the game midway through the second period. Naughalty put Whitchurch ahead after a great team movement split the home team's defence and it was Naughalty again seven minutes later who extended his team's lead with a neat conversion from close range. Plymouth forced a couple of good saves from goalkeeper Iwan Williams before Adam Barker scored an open play goal to make the game safe for Whitchurch, who have now made it two wins out of three in the new season.
