Accuracy tune-up for clash

DEPTH OF TALENT: Dalefield's Aaron Oakley (centre) tests the Harbour City Tawa defence at Clareville last weekend. PHOTO/CHRIS KILFORD

Accuracy will be an oft-used word as Dalefield prepare for their Capital premier division men's hockey match against Hutt at the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington tomorrow.

A goal scored after the final hooter had sounded gave Dalefield a 5-5 draw against Harbour City Tawa in their opening game of the 2015 season at Clareville last Saturday, but management and players were not exactly doing headstands over that result.

Up 3-1 at halftime and dominating territory and possession, Dalefield looked set for victory but a frustrating tendency to give away ball in the second spell through a mix of poor passing and option-taking allowed Harbour City Tawa back into the game, so much so they could count themselves at least a trifle unlucky not to come away with maximum points.

"That second half was disappointing, we'd all agree with that," Dalefield coach Willie Schaefer said yesterday, "We had things pretty well under control and let it slip, we just weren't accurate enough and it cost us."

Schaefer was optimistic, however, that with the full squad training together last night most of the problems would be rectified by tomorrow.

"A lot of it comes down to organisation and understanding not only your own skills but those of others around you," Schaefer said. "And the more you train together, the better you get in those respects."

The scorer of his team's crucial fifth goal last weekend, Benedict van Woerkom, will be missing from the Dalefield squad tomorrow, as will his brother, Daniel, and Cody Linton. Replacing them will be Jackson Kibblewhite and two college players, Gus Wakeling and Morgan Taylor.

That's a situation which doesn't faze Schaefer, who sees the depth of talent in the Dalefield team being one of its biggest attributes.

"It would probably be the strongest reserve bench the club has ever had. Of course, it would be nice to have everybody on deck but I'm sure the guys coming in will do a good job for us."

Hutt are among the leading contenders for the premier division title and started their season with a 2-1 win over Northern United last Saturday. They were helped though by Northern United being reduced to 10 men in the second half with both Hutt's goals coming while they were a player short.

Schaefer anticipates Hutt playing their usual free-flowing style of hockey and says Dalefield will need to stay aware of the dangers on the counter attack. "At this level, teams are always capable of turning mistakes into goals, and Hutt are no exception to that."