Dalefield refuse to be intimidated

Dalefield are determined not to be intimidated by Eastern Hutt in their Wellington premier division women's hockey match at Clareville tomorrow.
With seven wins and one draw from their eight games Eastern Hutt are at the top of the competition table with 25pts while Dalefield sit in fourth on 14pts, accumulated through four wins and four draws.
And there's a big difference in the goal-scoring department too with Eastern Hutt having netted 44 goals while conceding 12 and Dalefield having scored 26 while conceding 18.
Statistics of that nature would suggest tomorrow's game should be a walk in the park for Eastern Hutt but Dalefield coach Nigel Goodin isn't about to agree with that assessment.
Rather Goodin is convinced Dalefield are capable of making a close game of it, providing they aren't intimidated by the skill levels of opponents like former national rep Ninewa Roberts, who invariably converts any goal scoring opportunities.
"We have to forget about who we are playing and rely on our game plan to score more goals than they do," Goodin said.
"Respecting them is one thing, letting them call the shots is another."
Goodin believes Dalefield's best chance of an upset victory could come through scoring first and perhaps creating at least some self doubt in the minds of the Eastern Hutt players.
"Starting well is the key, we can't afford to be put on the back foot right from the word go," he said.
"The longer we keep them scoreless hopefully the more frustrated they will get, and that's when even the top teams are vulnerable."
Pleasing for Goodin is that Dalefield will be fielding a full strength line-up tomorrow after early fears their four Wairarapa under-18 players might not be available because of representative duties were allayed.
Buoyed by picking up their first competition point of the season through their 4-4 draw with Northern United last weekend the Dalefield men are approaching their Wellington premier division match with Harbour City-Tawa, also at Clareville tomorrow, with renewed confidence.
Harbour City-Tawa have had three wins and one draw from their nine matches and will start favourites but they will be smarting from a surprise defeat at the hands of Victoria University last Saturday and Dalefield are keen to capitalise on any disappointment in their camp.
Which is why coach Mark Fenwick reckons the establishment of an early lead could well be the catalyst to a Dalefield win.
"Getting a goal or two up would be the dream start for us, and that's where the emphasis has to be," Fenwick said.
Disappointing for Dalefield is the unavailability of in-form centre half Greg Mason and his absence could see either his brother, Chris Mason, or skipper Rowan Yeo moved into that role.