UCC Hockey Fall To Dominant Bandon

A lacklustre UCC side went down 3-0 to Bandon in a top of the table clash in West Cork on Saturday. Bandon were looking for revenge ever since being on the receiving end of UCC's 4-2 Peard cup win on St. Stephens' day. The students found themselves under pressure from the off and it only took Bandon 11 minutes to break the deadlock as Alastair Smith finished off a well worked Short Corner move at the back post.UCC were beginning to find a slight foothold in the game - getting numbers forward and creating chances for themselves. But they found they had over-committed players to this pursuit. A long clearing ball came and found a Bandon stick and two quick, nicely timed passes led to Bandon's second goal leaving it 2-0 at the break.Coach Neil Welch wasn't overly upset at half time as he asked his players to be patient and take their chances.  More short corners came but it seemed to be another case of déjà vu with a frustrating inability to convert from the set piece.Bandon had no such problem as Clinton Sweetnam made it 3-0 with a drag flick with 10 minutes left on the clock. UCC had prolonged periods of possession in the closing stages but Bandon's defence held firm seeing the game out at 3-0.UCC will only have themselves to look at after the performance.  They were off the pace and not clinical with the 8 short corners they won.  Despite good efforts from Peter Catchpole in midfield the students were second best throughout the 70 minutes. This leaves Bandon in the driving seat to take the league title. UCC must win every game from here on in, including two games against today's opposition in the Mardyke in the coming weeks.