Cronje’s tricks end Redbacks

A brilliant hat-trick✓ from Karel Cronje✓ proved the difference as Spencer Park ended North Albany’s season with a 5-2 victory in the first semifinal of the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association men’s A-grade competition on Saturday afternoon.

Park hit the lead after only five minutes when youngster James Gonzales✓ intercepted a lazy switch pass that resulted in a goal.

Redbacks countered only minutes later through a penalty corner conversion from Marco Coetzee to level the scores at 1-1.

Park dominated possession from that point onwards and were eventually rewarded when Cronje put in his first goal of the match with six minutes left in the half.

Cronje struck again minutes later to put Park up 3-1 at half-time✓.

Park’s dominance continued in the second half as Redbacks tried to weather the storm, however Jack Dawson was able to extend Park’s lead with a goal from a penalty corner.

Cronje’s third goal was a spectacular strike from just inside the circle that sealed the victory as Park stretched the margin to four goals.

Redbacks striker Eddie McQuade was able to find the back of the net in the dying minutes to ensure a 5-2 result as Park progress through to the preliminary final.

Meanwhile in the second semifinal, Mt Barker comfortably accounted for Manypeaks 4-0 to move into the grand final.

Playing on their home field, Mt Barker put on a dominant display, with Hayden Macmahon scoring two goals, while Alex Fergie and Reece Curwen also found the back of the net for the victors.

Peaks and Park will now face offof in the preliminary final this Saturday.