Jones double earns Exiles a share of the spoils

Blueharts 2 St Albans Exiles 2

THE Exiles travelled to Hitchin based Blueharts looking to build on last week's performance.

The pitch, despite being 70 miles from the sea, resembled a beach with an excess amount of sand laying on the surface, which prevented fast-flowing hockey.

Exiles were without their top scorer - Simon White - for a second week, but welcomed back midfield general and skipper Mark Lister.

The team was also bolstered by some new and returning faces. Martin Jones was pressed into a more forward role and was rewarded with two goals.

The match was fairly even, with Exiles probably playing the better hockey against Blueharts long ball attacks and some cynical and niggling fouls, which should probably have seen a couple of yellow cards.

Blueharts took the lead midway through the first half following a short corner.

Despite an initial save by Jerry Fretter, he could not prevent the rebound rolling into the empty net.

The Exiles continued to attack and were quickly back on level terms when Jones finished off a goal mouth scramble.

The Exiles were awarded a number of penalty corners, but could not find the back of the net, with the Blueharts 'keeper making some last ditch saves.

At half time the Exiles were confident that they could press home their good hockey, but again fell behind as Blueharts scored from a reverse stick shot into the top corner midway through the second half.

With time running out Exiles were awarded yet another penalty corner.

The ball was pushed out to Guy Black who slipped it back to Jones who made no mistake, firing in from a yard out.

Some late defensive acrobatics from goalkeeper Fretter ensured that the match remained level at the final whistle.

The Exiles remain in mid-table with a home game at Clarence Park against Bishop's Stortford next week.

Exiles: Fretter, James, Winter, Mason, Miller, Reeves, Black, Lister (C), Cowan, Dorsett, Jones, Edbrooke.