Hockey: IoM Under-18 Boys dispatch Preston to progress

It marks three wins from four for Island national sides over the weekend

Report by Ben Cunningham:

The Manx junior hockey squads finally got their 2024/25 Championship campaign underway on Sunday (27 October) as the Under-18 Boys earned a 5-1 victory away at Preston Under-18 Boys.

The Island side's opening game of the season in the England Hockey Tier 2 Under-18 Knockout Championship was the first match for the Isle of Man's youth sides this season following previous cancellations caused by Storm Ashley.

It's also the third win in four matches over last weekend for the Isle of Man national sides after the Isle of Man Men's A and Ladies A squads took victories in their respective outings the day before (26 October).

The IoM applied pressure immediately from push-back, winning a penalty corner in the first minute, and going ahead early in the match with a goal from Alex Andrew created by a run up the wing and pass from Cameron Roome. 

Preston came back hard and most of the remainder of the first half was evenly balanced - Preston mounted several dangerous attacks towards the end of the half, with Lucas Harding making a spectacular clearance off the line to keep the Manx ahead at the break.

The second half began with Preston still pushing for the equaliser, which came just a few minutes in - the Isle of Man came back almost immediately with a second goal from Andrew and from that point on the balance of the game swung in their favour.

While Preston remained dangerous the IoM defence and Tom Babb in goal dealt capably with their attacks, and the Manx counterattacks were more frequent and incisive. 

Andrew completed his hat-trick and Roome added two further goals for a comprehensive 5-1 win - Lucas Harding was voted man of the match for his excellent performance in the Manx defensive line.

The Under-16 Boys and Under-16 Girls both travel next weekend for fixtures against Oxton and Bowdon respectively as they look to follow the Under-18 boys into the Round Two.