Week seven (7) of the Sapholda Hockey League saw 5 wonderful matches played at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
With Police versus Arkmen game postponed due to bad weather, the likes of Sapholda, Exchequers, and Army Men clinched vital victories in their respective matches.
Sapholda had no mercy, as they cruised to their 3rd victory in the Masters league; a 4-0 thrashing of Golden Sticks who were struggling to find their rhythm.
Half way through the first quarter, Abraham Hammond utilized a penalty corner opportunity to give Sapholda the lead after pressing for a while. Hammond, doubled the tally with 5 minutes to wrap up the game, through a penalty stroke. It was a hat trick day for Hammond, 2 minutes later with a beautifully well-worked out field goal.
It looked like the flood gates just opened in the embers of the game, as the energy levels of Golden Sticks dropped massively and captain Nathaniel Sogan added his name to the score sheet with another wonderful field goal.
Sapholda will now move to top of the table with 9 points from the 2nd spot, toppling leaders Multi-stix, while Golden Sticks remain 4th with just a point, after 3 matches.
In the Men League, Legonknights came decent, in their encounter with unbeaten side Exchequers in the penultimate match of the day. Exchequers, who were highly motivated, broke the dead locked 5minutes into the game with a penalty corner, converted by Quagraine Kofi Okyere.
Legonknights pushed for the equalizer but chances went begging, while the second quarter went barren.
A field goal paid off for the cedi handlers, with Francis Lartey Tetteh making no mistakes to get their 2-0 cushion through a field goal in the third quarter. Ebenezer Nortey then managed to touch a shot from a penalty corner piece, late into the game to cement a 3-0 victory and remain unbeaten.
The last game for the day gave everything there is for Hockey to be beautiful. The display of stick blocks, dribbles, long and short passes would make one get his or her eyes stuck, not only on the ball, but the players with their sticks.
Reformers who were looking for their first 3 points, started the game aggressively but Army were resolute at the back. Army, having won just a match in 3 outings, turned defense to attack and got their first goal on the 10’ by Abdul Malik.
Reformers did not give up, as they multiplied upfront and were awarded 3 successive penalty corners but they squandered all.
Army doubled their lead through a penalty corner scored by David Marfo in the second quarter, showing Reformers how it is done.
It was not over for Reformers, who after the first half kept creating opportunities but only for the shouts of ‘gooaall’ to be wasted by the fans. Reformers’ persistence paid off, as Samuel Agbelie beautifully converted a penalty stroke awarded on the stroke of the third quarter to keep the game close, at 2-1.
As Reformers piled more pressure to draw 2-2, Eric Dzotsi did not actually quench Army’s blazing fire, as they went on the counter to score a perfect goal and celebrate wildly to end the game 3-1.
Army is on 6 points but still 4th on the table, while Reformers languish at the bottom with no point.
Earlier, the postponed match day 3 for the ladies’ game saw Extinguishers Ladies frustrate Army Ladies to a barren stalemate. It was all Army throughout the game, while Extinguishers defended so well to share the spoils.
Army are still 2nd with 7 points, 2 behind leaders GRA Ladies, while Extinguishers are 5th with a point, after 3 matches apiece.
In the Development game, Ark Ladies also settled for a barren draw (0-0) against the University of Ghana Ladies.
More actions will come your way on June 21, at the Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium, with the Ladies matches.
By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey
