Hockey

SWINDON travelled to local league rivals Devizes in a Premier Two league encounter and lost 6-2.

Swindon, with a near full-strength team, were missing captain Matt Salmon, but they started the brighter, dominating the play and creating some great early chances in the Devizes area, with Gassner and Gillingham going close inside the first five minutes.

It was a quick counter attack that led to the opening goal of the game.

Gassner broke quickly from the midfield, and his pass into the area found Sage, who deflected into the goal, giving the keeper no chance.

This was the signal for Devizes to wake up and by half-time they had converted two scrappy short corners, due to poor Swindon defending, put away a penalty stroke and despatched Swindon centre back Tom Walker to hospital with a broken nose and cuts to his face following a clash with Devizes striker Matt Philpott.

The second half could not have started worse for Swindon with another penalty stroke given against Ben Ashwell for something only the umpire saw.

This was converted past the under-performing Gough in the Swindon goal.

Swindon managed some attacks into the Devizes half, but these came to nothing as they lost control and gave the ball away cheaply.

Devizes were on top, and Philpott scored a great goal over the head of Gough, launching a great shot from the top of the area.

With time running out for the visitors it was a great run along the right from Liam Heinz and cross into Dave King who slotted the ball in to make it 5-2.

But from the re-start Devizes grabbed their final goal of the game, a wicked deflection into the corner of the goal.

It was a disappointing performance from Swindon, who host league leaders Exeter Uni at Greendown on Saturday, 12.30pm start.