Hales 1s dream start continues!

Plagued by injuries in recent weeks Hales made the 60 mile trip to Loughborough with a small match day squad with call ups for experienced second team goal machine Graham Knight and a debut from promising young forward Josh Hodgetts. Hales started brightly probing the Loughborough Town defence and asking questions from the off. Despite some reckless challenges going unpunished in the circle Hales found the breakthrough early on when Cole Hickman converted a penalty corner to give Hales the lead. Shortly afterwards disaster struck for Hales with further injuries right back Ben Hughes and midfielder Paul Harrold left them with a bare eleven and 60 minutes of a game to play. After coach Doug Houghton opted to switch to a half court Hales defended excellently, preventing Loughborough from gaining any advantage with their fresher legs.

At a break at half time Hales started the second period more brightly and were rewarded when a now heavily strapped up Harrold burst through the midfield and linked up well with the forwards for Dan Richards to tap home and double Hales lead. Now enjoying a two goal cushion Hales were cruising until centre back Paul Woodall was next to pull up injured resulting in Hales being left with 10 fit players to finish the game and whoever could stand up front the longest from the injury list! Loughborough seized this advantage and grabbed a goal back to ensure a nervy finish for Hales who despite a run of bad luck saw out another win.