PLAYER coach Liam Alexander believes Gosford have the drive - and the personnel - to strive for a fifth straight Hunter Coast Premier Hockey League title after the Magpies wore down Norths 2-0 in the grand final at Broadmeadow on Sunday to complete a perfect season.
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Ehren Hazell converted from a penalty corner to put the Magpies ahead in the 13th minute and midfielder Rob McGuire provided breathing space with a well-executed reverse hit in the 38th minute.
Norths, who were backing up 72 hours after beating Souths 3-0 in semi-final replay, pushed and probed but couldn't break a resolute Gosford defence which brick-walled six penalty corners.
It is the first time a club has won four straight premierships.
"Our goal is always to finish top so we get the major semi at home," said Alexander, who was a rock at the back. "Once we made the grand final, we started talking about the possibilities of winning four in a row.
"At least 70 per cent of the guys have had involvement in all four. Some of them were 16 when they won their first one. They have matured into adults and are playing really good hockey. I can't see why we can't strive for five. The drive in the group is there for success."
Norths coach Dave Willott was proud of his side's defensive effort but was left to lament miss opportunities.
"We competed really well and didn't give them an inch," he said. "We had a few opportunities that could have turned the game. We put one of them away it's 2-1 and we put them under pressure.
"I am really happy with the way we defended. We created a few chances and penalty corners but unfortunately couldn't convert them."
Willott thought the midweek game took a toll "in the back end a little bit".
"That's the nature of it and we knew we had to deal with it. I couldn't fault the effort, put it that way."
Norths keeper Eamon Smith made a string of of saves, while Kye Willott, Nick Hill and Rory Walkerdidn't stock trying for Norths.
"Kye was really good in the midfield and just kept running. We were just a little bit off in a couple of patches and they were able capitalise. Against Gosford, you have to put your opportunities away, that's for sure."
After missing with two penalty corners, Hazell struck for Gosford, flicking a low shot into the left corner in the 13th minute.
The lead was deserved for the visitors, who controlled possession and field position.
Norths lifted in the second term. They earned three penalty corners but couldn't beat the scrambling defence of the Magpies.
"We played them three time in five weeks early in the season and know these guys pretty well," Alexander said. "We knew what to expect.
"I think our fitness probably got us over the line. We knew we would out-run them in the final two quarters. That determination to get the four in a row got us over the line."
The decisive moment came three minutes into the second half when McGuire received the ball at the top of the circle. Running to his left he took a touch and fired a Tomahawk which eluded a wall of legs and thudded into the goal.
"At 1-0 and 2-0, it's never comfortable. It would have been nice to get the third but once the clock wound down to about five minutes, it was pretty tough for them to come back. I thought our young guys, especially Lain Carr, Michael Taylor and Ehren Hazell played really well."
Though disappointed to lose, Willott was glad to have played a season given the COVID-19 pandemic.
"That was the biggest bonus," he said. "We got a shortened season in but it was still a season."