IHL – Lads stay top and in control of Pool B

Pembroke Men maintained their two point lead over Monkstown in Pool B of the IHL following a 3-1 away win against Instonians yesterday at Shawsbridge. Monkstown also won their game to keep the pressure up – recording a 5-3 win over Banbridge. The top two teams will qualify from the Pool, and with remaining games against Banbridge and Monkstown, Pembroke’s destiny remains in their own hands.

Official Match report
Instonians 1 – 3 Pembroke Wanderers
Imitaz Pannu       Scott Furlong, Patrick Good, Michael O’Connor
06 February 2011 | Shawsbridge | 2.30pm

Prior to the IHL tie between Instonians and Pembroke a number of Youth U12 games took place which provided fun for all.
The IHL fixture took off with a quick place from one end to the other. From the start Pembroke looked more threatening however with just 9 minutes gone Instonians took the lead when Imitaz Pannu scored from a short corner.

Instonians continued to press and on 14 minutes Chris Kirk took a good shot which was saved but Thornton in the Pembroke goal. 1st quarter ended with Instonians 1-0 in front.

Pembroke had a period of sustained pressure and with 26 minutes on the clock Scott Furlong got the equaliser from a penalty corner. On 30 minutes Nigel Skillan, the Instonian goalkeeper made two good saves from Pembroke corners.

Pembroke dominated the remainder of the second quarter with Instonians relying on counter attack play but in the last minute of the half Patrick Good scored from close range to put Pembroke 2-1 in front at the break.

The second half started as the first with fast paced end to end play. Instonians had a series of penalty corners with Mark Irwin having the best chance on 45 minutes but the shot strayed wide.

Pembroke immediately countered and after an impressive move down the right Michael O’Connor made it 3-1 to Pembroke.
While Instonians took the game to Pembroke the resilient defense stood strong and Pembroke ran out worthy 3-1 victors.
Instonians awarded man of the match prizes to Pembroke’s Patrick Conlon and Nigel Skillin of the Instonians goal.
A good crowd saw an enjoyable game of hockey.