Hockey Ireland - Spain Take Opening Fixture Of Series Against Green Machine

Ireland 0

Spain 4 (Beltran x2, Romeu, Iglesias)

Spain and Ireland sit side by side in the world rankings, 9th and 10th respectively, so this afternoon’s fixture in Terrassa was always going to be a tough battle. Head coach Craig Fulton had elected for a young squad with no fewer than 4 teenagers part of his panel balanced with the experience of David Harte as well as Mikie Watt who joined an exclusive club in earning his 200th cap for the Green Machine.

A tight first quarter saw no clear chances for either side. Both sides continued to grow into the game and in the 18th minute Albert Beltran gave the home side the lead from open play. 7 minutes later Spain were awarded their first penalty corner and Josep Romeu sent a powerful drag flick from the top of the circle into the corner of the goal, leaving the score at 2-0 at halftime.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first half with both teams enjoying periods of possession and the Green Machine building good spells of play. But it was Spain who struck again in the 40th minute, Alvaro Iglesias scoring from open play to give his side a 3-0 lead. As the third quarter wound down Beltran got his second to make it 4-0 which is how the result would remain.

The sides meet again on Thursday in Club Egara at 12pm (local time).

Squad:

1.Jonny Bell –Lisnagarvey- Defender

2.Matt Bell -Banbridge- Defender

3.Lee Cole –Monkstown- Defender

4.Stuart Loughrey -H & W- Defender

5.Paul Gleghorne –Lisnagarvey- Defender

6.Keith O`Hare -Pembroke- Defender

7.Jamie Wright –Banbridge- Midfield

8.Drew Carlisle -Banbridge- Midfield

9.Neal Glassey –Lisnagarvey- Midfield

10.Michael Robson -Annadale- Midfield

11.Sean Murray –Lisnagarvey- Midfield

12.Luke Chadwick -Voordaan- Midfield

13.Michael Watt -H&W- Forward

14. Johnny McKee –Banbridge- Forward

15.Mathew Nelson -Lisnagarvey- Forward

16. Julian Dale -C of I- Forward

17.Owen Magee -Banbridge- Forward

18Jeremy Duncan –UCD- Forward.

19.David Harte -Kampong- GK

20 .Jamie Carr -Three Rock- GK

Fixtures:

Ireland 0vs4 Spain 29/11/2016 at 15:00 (local time) in ATHC

Ireland vs Spain 1/12/2016 at 12:00 (local time) in Club Egara