Captain Ashley Jackson’s improvised penalty corner helped Ranchi Rays down Uttar Pradesh Wizards 1-0 in a Hero Hockey India League match at the Astroturf Stadium on Sunday. His spectacular effort not only helped the home side consolidate its position in the league table but also brightened its semifinal chances.
Playing a tactical game that was built around its strength in the defence, Rays secured the lone goal lead early in the second quarter and preserved it to ensure the win.
The Wizards started well and enjoyed more than 70 per cent of ball possession but failed to convert chances as the alert Rays defenders - especially Kothajit Singh and Birendra Lakra — cut off the attacks well in advance.
Rays, which had beaten the Wizards 2-0 at Lucknow earlier in the week, found the goal off a sharp counter attack when the versatile Englishman Jackson essayed a long scoop to release compatriot Barry Middleton on the left. The midfielder set up Mandeep Singh inside the circle and his back flick fetched the Rays a penalty corner.
Jackson converted with a nice variation as he desisted from a first-time flick, went a few paces square to create an angle and finished with an inside-out shot to fox P.R. Sreejesh in the goal.
After conceding the goal against the run of play, the visitor tried hard for the equaliser and had almost had it in the 42nd minute but for the alacrity of Kothajit.
The Manipuri defender showed a great sense of position as he cleared the ball from the line after a clever scoop from Dutch forward Jeroen Hertzberger had cleared the Rays’ Australian goalkeeper Tyler Lovell.
The Wizards created more scoring chances, including a couple of penalty corners, but failed to find the net as Lovell kept a tight vigil.
Ranchi Rays remains in the second spot with 24 points from seven matches while the Wizards are a rung below with 20 points from the same number of outings.
The result: Ranchi Rays 1 (Ashley Jackson 18) bt UP Wizards 0.
