Beaulieu double-up against Wanderers
BEAULIEU – Former national and current Beaulieu striker Julian Hykes brought his experience to carry his side to a 4-2 victory against Wanderers Hockey Club.
Beaulieu Hockey Academy came out tops against log-leaders Wanderers in the Southern Gauteng Hockey Association league thanks to a hat-trick from former national player Julian Hykes on August 21.
Beaulieu’s premier men’s team won 4–2 against Wanderers after beating them 5–2 earlier this year. The previous week saw Beaulieu lose 2–1 against Wits in their first match since the sudden passing of their coach Allistar Fredericks. Wanderers came into the match after beating University of Johannesburg 3–1.
In this match, Hykes scored his first goal and the first of the match after a dazzling run from the halfway line with just under five minutes left in the chukka. Hykes was at it again three minutes later with his second field goal.
Early in the second chukka, a penalty corner was awarded to Wanderers but it was well saved by Beaulieu goalie Sizwe Mthembu.
From the resultant long corner, the ball was turned over and Beaulieu midfielder Gerald Mpopo kept possession to score and extend the lead to 3–0.
Soon after, a dangerous tackle by Beaulieu captain Jesse Salo saw a penalty stroke awarded to Wanderers but again Mthembu saved well. With a minute left in the half, a penalty stroke was controversially awarded to Wanderers and it was converted by their captain Stuart Spooner.
Going into the second half 3–1 up, Beaulieu had a chance to extend their lead after being awarded a corner but it was saved by Wanderers goalie Duncan Fischer. Shortly after, Hykes completed his hat-trick after dribbling past Fischer.
The last chukka provided tense action as Wanderers pressed to score again but Beaulieu maintained their strong defence. However, seven minutes into the chukka, Wanderers’ Luke Schooling managed to sneak the ball past Mthembu with the match ending 4–2 to Beaulieu.
A disappointed Wanderers coach, Patrick Owgan said his team didn’t apply their plan. “The attitude wasn’t good enough which is one thing you can’t come short with against Beaulieu. I think we played better in the first game than this one,” said Owgan.
Salo credited the standout performances of Hykes and Mpopo and said his team’s build-up to the game had helped immensely.
“Everyone knows that Wanderers is a really good side. After we had a small slip-up against Wits, the boys really did bounce back well. “During the game we created a few really good chances and defended well,” he concluded.
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