Five goals from local hockey legend, Glenn Turner, powered the Goulburn Geckos to a 5-0 win over OCHC yesterday.
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The former Kookaburra was at his sharpshooting best at the Goulburn Hockey Fields, and provided the home side the impetus for a much-needed win.
Turner has been intermittently absent in recent weeks as he prepares for the Olympics as part of New Zealand's coaching staff.
His presence on Saturday, Geckos co-coach Scott Grant said, made a huge difference to Goulburn's scoring ability.
"Having GT back today, having him back is a massive difference for us up front," Grant said.
"He's not going to be here now because he'll be away at the Olympics with the New Zealand team. We just need to find ways to do it without him, and we can.
"Just having him back and learning off him is huge for the strikers."
Turner and the Geckos got off to a fast start in Saturday's clash, and took advantage of some early disorganisation from OCHC.
Four early goals put Goulburn ahead, and by the third quarter the score was 4-1.
But OCHC tightened the screws in the latter portion of the game, and a goal to veteran Seyi Onitiri briefly threatened a comeback from the visitors.
However, that hope was short-lived as the Turner scored his fifth and final goal of the game, which put a halt to any momentum OCHC had gained.
The display put on by Turner and the experience he shares with teammates, Geckos co-coach and player Jake Staines said, will only help their young strikers' development.
"Having someone like Glenn, we're very fortunate to be able to thrive off him and learn some of the things that he does," he said.
The win over OCHC now opens up a gap between Goulburn in fourth on the ladder and St Patrick's in fifth.
From here, the Geckos will look to continue their winning ways and strengthen their claim to a finals spot. To be contending for a finals spot at all, Staines said, was thrilling considering how the side started the year.
"I'm pretty proud and happy with where we're sitting at the moment," he said.
"To even field a side was a challenge, and now we're at fourth. If we make top four, and then play each game as it comes, finals hockey is a completely different ball game.
"We just need to keep plugging away and get wins where we can, you never know what can happen when you reach the end of the season."
Goulburn will face a stern challenge next Saturday, July 10, when it faces Central. The match will begin from 1.30pm at the Goulburn Hockey Fields.
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