Town and Devizes share the honours in friendly hockey match (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Town and Devizes share the honours in friendly hockey match

HONOURS were shared by Devizes and their Cirencester 1st XI hosts in Saturday's friendly match at Deer Park which finished in a 2-2 draw.

Although the visitors play some two divisions below them, the Total-sponsored Cirencester team knew from their experiences earlier in the season that the Wiltshire side were likely to prove worthy adversaries.

However, the different playing styles of the rival factions resulted in a competitive game that was, nonetheless, conducted in the true spirit of a friendly.

However, it was Town who notched up their first goal this year with a well-worked hit from a practised short-corner routine.

Charlie Paine switched the ball on the top of the D where Rob Duffy drew two defenders before slipping it back to the charismatic Paine who slotted it home in typical manner.

The home team were controlling the midfield easily, albeit under pressure from a young Devizes midfield.

At times, though, there was too much space afforded to the visitors who came close to netting on several occasions, but failed to put the ball past Cirencester's stand-in keeper Portlock.

In fact, it was Town who surprisingly double their advantage when right-back Ollie was allowed to waltz into the Devizes' D before flicking his chance past the keeper virtually unopposed.

Mid-way through the first half, and at the interval as well, Town skipper John Tasker made several tactical changes to his squad with a view to trying players in different positions before the re-start of the league programme this Saturday.

And it was Tasker who nearly settled the match with his first touch with a dive at the far post, but, unfortunately, he was adjudged to have made a lunge through the defender.

With those additional team changes made during the break, it was a disorganised Town outfit that returned to the fray.

Even player-manager Panstee retired to the bench, allowing the visiting midfield to run amok in the middle of the park.

With several key players taking on unfamiliar positions, it was only a matter of time before the away team notched up a goal.

Soon after, they got the equaliser after the ball was lost too easily in midfield when the experienced Dicker was quite literally ditched by the marauding Devizes youngsters.

Mitsubishi man of the match was keeper Portlock who did well considering that he had agreed to stand in at a late hour.