Ghazanfar fires five for fun from fabulously fast flicks as Deeside extend winning run

Lichfield were the visitors to the pig sty this week. After a hard fought friendly in pre-season a strong showing was expected from the travelers from the West Midlands.

For a change – Deeside did not concede within the first couple of minutes. In fact it was the men in black that took the lead on 7 minutes – Ghazanfar flicking high into the net from Deeside’s first penalty corner. 1-0. Lichfield responded with a penalty corner goal of their own – the ball skimming past the pectoral fin of Jimmi ‘slightly more subtle shirt colour this week’ Hill in Deeside’s goal. 1-1. Deeside re-took the lead just before the quarter mark – Wright crossing from the right wing, a bit of a melee, then McNally bundling the ball in from close range. The umpire well placed to make sure the ball had crossed the line. 2-1.

Back to the usual routine in the second period – Deeside conceding straight away – another Lichfield penalty corner finding its way into the net. 2-2. Lichfield nearly went ahead after Bart Ryan-Beswick got into a tangle and presented a goal scoring opportunity – fortunately Hill was on hand to produce a good block. A skillful interchange between McNally and Wright resulted in a Litchfield infringement in the D and another penalty corner for Deeside. Ghazanfar slotting the ball between keeper and post man for his second goal of the game. 3-2. Ghazanfar repeated the same shot from a penalty corner re-award to complete his hat trick 3 minutes later. Perhaps the keeper should have done better? 4-2

For some inexplicable reason the start of the second half was delayed while the umpires waited for Lichfield to complete their half time chat. So much for sticking to the pre-match instructions! This fired up the Deeside players and a wonderful backhand cross from McNally was turned into the Litchfield goal by Worrall for his customary deflected goal. 5-2. Deeside were now dominating the game and threatening to run away with a cricket score. However, some ill discipline cost Deeside with 2 goals either side of the 3rd quarter break. Harry Dodd-More received a green card for an over zealous challenge – Lichfield pulled one back as they passed through the undermanned midfield to tap home at the back post. 5-3.

As soon as the player suspension time had expired Bart Ryan-Beswick was also sinned binned for a hefty challenge – perhaps lucky to get away with only a green? Lichfield were kept at bay from the resulting penalty corner by a smart save from Hill down to his right but less than a minute later the visitors did get back to within a goal. Deeside failed to clear their lines and another simple tap in brought the game to 5-4. Deeside pressed forward and a high aerial into the D from Ali G saw a defender encroach and another penalty corner was awarded – this time, much to everyone’s surprise the keeper saved it!

Then consternation with 10 minutes remaining. Deeside thought they had scored with a diving deflection from another NcNally cross. The umpire deemed that that the ball hadn’t travelled 5 meters before entering the D. Tempers flared and words were said. Oh calamity - Deeside were suddenly down to 9 men with Warwick Ryan-Beswick and Liam Hennessy both getting green cards for dissent!! No problem for the home team though – a swift counter attack produced another penalty corner which Ghazanfar dispatched into the roof of the net. 6-4. Ghazanfar rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot for his 5th goal of the game in the dying minutes. 7-4.

Another entertaining game at the sty. Next up Alderley Edge - away on Sat 26th October