Match Details
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23rd September 2023
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16:00
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Perth Hockey Stadium 2
Uniform
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Blue
-
Blue
-
Green
Sundry
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14:30
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Left
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Won
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Left to Right
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Overcast 19C
Officials
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Simon James
Liam Paull -
Ian Lugg
Player's Player
Streaming
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Yes
Starting Lineup
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Alan Charlton -
Alex Jones -
Anthony Caton
-
Ben Howey
-
Dean Cunningham
-
James Maltman
-
Lee Brady
-
Lee Cormack
-
Matt Burton
-
Stuart Fletcher
-
Tristan Hunt
Substitutes
Did Not Play
Off-Field Team
Match Report
With WA having been absent from the Over 40's division since 2019 due to COVID travel restrictions, NSW went into this match not knowing what to expect other than knowing WA is never an easy side.
And this proved to be correct in the earlier stages, with WA enjoying significant early possession and exerting pressure on the NSW defense. Thankfully, the NSW defense held strong with debutant keeper Matt Burton making 2 good early saves to settle into his work.
Dean Herbert opened the scoring in the 11th minutes with a great penalty corner goal, and doubled the lead and his personal tally from another penalty corner 2 minutes later.
NSW played strong up to half time, despite having two players handed green cards and wasting several opportunities in the circle. A penalty corner just before halftime was converted by Stuart Fletcher with one of his trademark deflections to take NSW into halftime 3-0 up.
Lee Brady started the second half well for NSW with a cracking reverse stick shot from the top of the circle after completing some hard work getting there, and 5 minutes later, Stuart Fletcher slammed home a fifth for NSW. Tristan Hunt endured a 5 minute stint in the naughty chair but the NSW defense again held strong with a player in the bin.
WA exerted good pressure throughout the fourth quarter and were rewarded with a goal two minutes from time when Matthew Harper fired home a drag flick from a penalty corner.
Overall a good start to the championship by NSW, who will look to build on this hoping to go deep into the championship.