Pullin power (From Gazette Series)

Pullin power

Gerrard Hockey League Premier One Yate 3 Wotton-under-Edge 6

DOUBLE strikes from player-coach Mark Pullin and man of the match Mark Gausden gave Wotton their first league win of the season.

Rivals Yate gave a good account of themselves but the visitors' six goals were too much for them to handle. Wotton started the game well, retaining possession and building play through the midfield.

The early pressure resulted in a goal after 10 minutes when Mark Pullin's pass was deflected past the Yate goalkeeper by Mark Gausden. The visitors continued to press well and some neat play resulted in a penalty corner conversion by skipper Tom Gillespie. Lazy Wotton defending then enabled Yate to halve the deficit, while the away side lost Tom Ward for the rest of the game following a tackle in keeping with a local derby.

The half-time break gave player-coach Pullin an opportunity to remind the team to concentrate on basics. Pullin himself then deflected a penalty corner to extend Wotton's lead to 3-1. Undaunted, Yate replied soon after from a penalty corner of their own, which was well struck but should have been saved.

Wotton though continued to dominate play and James Pullin made it 4-2 with a penalty corner rebound. Mark Pullin then completed the family hat-trick after driving into the circle and finishing with a powerful shot.

After struggling to apply any prolonged pressure on the Wotton defence, Yate became frustrated. A player from each side was sin-binned, as was the Yate player-coach shortly after his side had scored a third goal.

Wotton then cemented the victory and the points with a second goal from man of the match Gausden with five minutes of an action-packed game remaining.