LGSHA 2023: Manypeaks too strong for North Albany in cracking men’s A-grade preliminary final

Manypeaks held off a fast-finishing North Albany to book their spot in the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association men’s A-grade grand final, claiming a 2-1 win in the preliminary final on Saturday. Peaks went two goals up in the late stages of the final quarter but had to withstand a mountain of pressure, a late goal to Redbacks’ Lawson Terpstra giving rise to some nervous moments in the final stages. The early stages of the first quarter was dominated by Peaks with one of their efforts sailing wide before Redbacks repelled two late penalty corners to close out the term. Redbacks had a chance through their own penalty corner before Peaks’ Tim Pyle drifted his attempt wide on a fast break at the other end. Talented forward Mitch Bradbury made a dashing run through traffic but Redbacks goalkeeper Phillip Stan-Bishop knocked it out of play as Peaks were awarded a penalty corner. Bradbury received the ball from the corner, slamming home Peaks opening goal in the third minute. Both sides grappled for control in the third stanza with chances arising at each end, Bradbury missing an opportunity on goal before Hamish Wilkes narrowly put a shot wide for the Redbacks. Peaks had a late penalty corner thwarted but Hayden Mills nearly doubled their advantage, a dazzling run and effort going just off target. Redbacks came out fighting in the final quarter, Jack Carlson’s shot attempt saved before another penalty corner was knocked back by Peaks minutes later. With seven minutes remaining in the clash, Peaks were awarded a penalty corner before a shot on goal struck a Redbacks players’ foot on its path to goal and they were awarded a penalty stroke as a result. Hayden Mills made no mistake from the spot, firing his attempt into the top left corner to put his side 2-0 up, seemingly wrapping up the contest. However, the Redbacks were blunt and direct in the final five minutes, Terpstra slamming home a shot from a penalty corner to give his side a glimmer of hope late. In a stunning final two minutes, Redbacks’ Angus Rennie nearly snatched another goal back, his shot attempt flying millimetres over the crossbar but Peaks held on for a memorable win. Bradbury was outstanding alongside Chris Metcalfe, Pyle and Hudson Field. Wilkes, Carlson, Terpstra and Ashley Eikelboom toiled hard in a losing affair. Peaks will meet the currently undefeated Spencer Park in the grand final next week.