By Niall Griffiths
Dan Moriarty’s hat-trick secured an impressive 4-2 win for USW men’s hockey over Swansea University 3rds.
Moriarty battled through an injury sustained after just five minutes to score three goals which helped his side record a notable victory.
It was Swansea who started the game on the front foot. Dylan Lawson exploited the space in behind the USW defence on the counter-attack and made no mistake in slotting home the opening goal.
USW immediately stepped up their efforts in search of an equaliser. They dominated the ball and created a handful of chances during the following 20 minutes. However, it was to no avail as Swansea stayed in front.
The breakthrough did arrive in the 26th minute.
Moriarty, who had just returned to the field, was able to make the difference, beating two defenders before taking the ball around the keeper and slotting home.
The home side controlled the play for the remainder of the first half, with Swansea’s chances coming from counter-attacks.
Less than 10 minutes into the second half Swansea went ahead again.
Alex Ibrahim was able to find enough space in the box to get his shot off and it fired past Ben Wood in the USW goal.
Unfortunately for the visitors, their lead failed to last more than two minutes as Moriarty got himself back amongst the goals, his shot beating Ethan Mairs in the Swansea goal to draw USW back level at 2-2.
A controversial goal was soon to follow.
In the 44th minute, after a goal-line scramble, the ball came off Swansea defender Andrew Nelhans and seemed to cross the line. It was given as a goal by the umpire, but the Swansea players complained bitterly.
Their complaints were ignored, though, and to rub salt into the wound Moriarty grabbed his hat-trick goal a minute later.
The home side were able to see out the final five minutes with ease.