The Hockey Albury Wod-onga men, playing in sleet at Taylor Field in the nation’s capital, made a number of crucial mistakes that led to Wests’ four goals before half-time.

Coach Matt Smart said some changes to defenders at half-time saw the Spitfires create two clear chances in the second half and deny their opposition any more goals.

“I’m upbeat about it, it was great hockey from our boys for most of the match,” he said.

“There was a period of four or five minutes where we let them get in behind us, a lapse in marking and a soft short corner and we were down 3-0.

“But this is the team that beat us 7-0 earlier in the year and completely outplayed us at the time.

“In the second half, in fact for most of the game outside that five-minute period it end-to-end stuff, the game going to-and-fro.”

Smart said keeper Scott Anderson as well as two emerging teenage talents were their best.

“Amgus Burnett, 16, is a development players who can slot in at either right or left wing ... he never gave up, controlled the ball, chased back and tackled well,” he said.

“Zac Craich at right half is only 17 and he is another who had a great game.

“The big difference between when we played Wests in the first round to now is that everyone is on the same page with the game plan and structure.

“It’s just a massive difference.”

Smart said the Spitfires will again head back to Canberra next weekend but they’re hoping for better weather.

“It was desperately close to snow there today,” he said.

“Both sides were complaining they couldn’t feel their hands and even though we had a game in the middle of the day you could see the rain changing before your eyes.

“As we came off the field it was just starting to float on the air, the next step was snow.”