Bulteel goal in vain for Old Hales (From Halesowen News)

Bulteel goal in vain for Old Hales

10:00pm Thursday 17th January 2013 in Sport

OLD Halesonians Hockey Club began the second half of the season with a 3-1 defeat at home to Hampton-in-Arden.

Second-placed Hales missed the chance to close the gap on the West Midlands Premier Division leaders as they struggled to break down the visitors’ defence.

Chances were at a premium early on, with Hampton going close from a penalty corner before eventually breaking the deadlock from another.

A second goal before half-time gave Hales a mountain to climb but they came back into the game after the break, creating numerous chances before finally finding the net through Tom Bulteel’s reverse stick chop.

But they suffered a setback when Simon Palmer was yellow carded for persistent fouling and the visitors capitalised, restoring their two goal advantage,.

Chris Hill, Harry Hughes and Bulteel all missed chances in the closing stages as Hales looked in vain for a way back.

Old Hales remain second in the table but now trail Hampton, who have won 11 straight games, by nine points.

They travel to Shrewsbury next week.

Nic Penn gave the seconds a perfect start when he scored the opening goal in their friendly away at Hampton-in-Arden.

But it was pretty much downhill from there as the hosts took control, eventually running out 4-1 winners.