Hockey: Five alive for Old Malton (From Gazette & Herald)

Hockey: Five alive for Old Malton

2:48pm Wednesday 10th October 2012 in Sport

Old Malton overcame a strong-looking Rotherham side 5-2 in their first home game of the Yorkshire League division one season.

Danny Gallagher, on his return to the club, scored two goals as Malton came back well after going a goal down, with the result lifting them to third in the table ahead of this weekend’s clash with leaders Kingston Upon Hull.

A quick free-hit, a smart move down the flank and a good strike saw Rotherham take the lead, but Malton took stock and within five minutes a speculative strike by Will Tindall was deflected in for the equaliser.

Duly lifted, Malton began to flow a bit more and just before half-time, following a short corner that wasn’t cleared, James Tindall slipped the ball home.

The second half began with Malton’s defence having to work overtime but, marshalled by the determined figure of Aaron Coates and with fine goalkeeping by Tom Bumby, they held firm.

For the first time this term, Malt had interchanges available and the new youngsters all performed well on debut, while Gallagher showed he had lost none of his fighting spirit.

His determination to chase the ball led to a short corner and, when it was kicked out by the ’keeper, he showed good skill to put the ball home.

Rotherham soon hit back, taking advantage of a mix-up during a player interchange, to make it 3-2.

It got nervy for Malt as Rotherham pushed on, but the hosts’ speed on the break brought relief as Gallagher grabbed his second goal of the match.

Tom Brough then got his reward for his hard work when at the final phase of play he neatly slotted home the goal that sealed the win.