By Jonty Ralphsmith
Three of the Casey Cannons’ four hockey sides have made it through to the grand final after wins on the weekend.
The men set up their 4-2 win on the road against top-of-the-table Mornington with a strong first quarter.
Bryan Young scored an early goal, before two goals in a minute through the middle of the game gave the Cannons an imposing 3-0 lead heading into the last quarter.
But it was a tense climax.
Mornington applied pressure and got through the Casey defences twice in the final quarter, before Nick McPhee’s second goal of the game sealed his side’s triumph.
The men then got back from their game to support the women’s firsts late on Sunday, with president David Hyland praising the club spirit.
The Cannons club spirit engendered an excellent atmosphere, and helped them to a 4-0 win over second-placed Frankston.
The commanding result against the next-best during the home and away season will give the team great belief heading into the grand final, according to Hyland.
“We really outplayed them the whole game, it was in our half for the majority of the game, it took us a while to get onto the scoreboard,” Hyland said.
“We didn’t initially make the most of our opportunities but it was great to eventually make the most of our momentum after a scoreless first quarter.”
In the seconds, Casey was dominant in the first half, but its inability to score looked like it could cost them as Croydon had more of the play after halftime.
But Kyezanne Holtzausen was able to get one against the play which ended up being the only goal of the game, giving her side victory.
In the thirds, the women finished third, so needed a win to keep their season alive, but succumbed to Glen Eira, going down 1-0.
RESULTS
MEN
Firsts: Cannons 4 v Mornington 2. Goals: Bryan Young 2, Nick McPhee 2.
WOMEN
Firsts: Cannons 4 v Frankston 0. Goals: Mikaela Davis 1, Tegen Hyland 1, Sam Dobrich 1, Jess Rowland 1.
Seconds: Cannons 1 v Croydon 0. Goal: Kyezanne Holtzausen 1.
Thirds: Cannons 0 v Glen Eira 1.
JUNIORS
U10 Team 1: Cannons 2 v Southern United 0. Goals: Sammy Albrecht 2
U10 Team 2: Cannons 3 v Southern United 3.
U10 Team 3: Cannons 3 v Frankston. Goals: Mannraj Singh 2, Oliver Drane-Johnson 1.
U12: Cannons 3 v Camberwell 0. Goals: Brayden Guestella 2, William Gregory 1.
U14: Cannons 3 v Croydon 0.
U16: Cannons 1 v Croydon 4. Goal: Aleisha Foot 1.
