Hilton enter the mid-year break with a win against Michaelhouse
Two late goals by Hilton College proved just enough to secure a (3-1) hard-fought win against Michaelhouse in their return fixture on Saturday.
The two sides, who met earlier this season, with that clash ending in a (4-2) win for Hilton were eager to momentarily close off their seasons with wins.
Hilton, were the favourites, undoubtedly. They came into the match with a solid record and placed 5th on the country’s rankings. Before the match, however, they had also lost (1-0) against Kearsney, so Michaelhouse would’ve felt like a victory is possible away from home.
Michaelhouse adopted that exact mindset as they shocked the visitors in the first quarter with a goal from captain, John Yeadon.
Yeadon scored when he quickly pounced on a turnover after giving away a penalty. He had a powerful run into the box, shed off two defenders, and placed the ball in the bottom left corner.
That goal influenced the home side’s comeback. Damian Kimfley’s men asserted themselves into the match, getting several short corners but not capitalizing.
The hosts finally hit back, late in the first quarter when Jarred Kitto got the ball in his half and paced through the Michaelhouse defence to allow his side some time down in the other half.
Kitto lost the ball, but that run gained his side some valuable minutes down under, as they quickly pounced on a loose ball and Joel Kitshoff scored to level the scoreboard.
For a full quarter, there was nothing to separate the two sides, as Hilton continued in their dominance of ball possession while the visitors opted to sit back and await the counterattack.
However, sitting back didn’t work for the visitors and Kimfley’s side changed tactics, displaying maturity, and scored two goals through Grant Bridgeford, and Nicholas Chantler late in the game to secure the win.
The win for Hilton means that they finish the season momentarily on a high, and will maintain their spot in the top five rankings in the country.
Scorers:
Hilton College 3 (Joel Kitshoff, Grant Bridgeford, Nicholas Chantler); Michaelhouse 1 (John Yeadon).
