Ladies 4thXI
Matches
Sat 04 Feb 2017  ·  Division 5
Neston South Wirral 4
3
0
Brooklands HC
Ladies 4thXI
Away at Neston

Away at Neston

Lucy Cope7 Feb 2017 - 21:15
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.brooklandshockey.c

.

Saturday 4th Feb 2017 saw BPHC Ladies 4s heading off to the Wirral to face Neston Ladies 4s for a late push-back. Neston had fielded a strong side, combining strength and pace with several subs. They started strongly but were met with well-read intercepts and important tackles from Kelly, Becky, Heather and Catherine. When Neston broke through, Alicia made a great clearance and Neston’s follow-up strike found her Captain’s foot. The resulting penalty corner was met with a fearsome run-out from Kelly and the scramble that followed found Lucy’s foot repeating its reaction heroics. Alicia dealt with the pressure of the penalty flick superbly, deflecting the strike with a magnificent save. Both sides battled hard for the middle of the pitch with Heather launching a move through Lucy C and Ruby before Bex and Catherine closed down the Neston counter-attack. Lucy LH and Catherine fed Sophie who worked hard with Elana to find a way through, while Holly pressured the Neston defence. Attack was followed by counter-attack in a fast-moving game with a high work-rate. Important tackles from Catherine, Kelly and Bex and a neat intercept from Holly set up Lucy LH for a shot on goal with great follow-up pressure from Ruby. When Neston countered, Lucy C’s calm clearance under pressure set the tone for some strong resistance from Brooklands. Sophie, Ruby and Lucy LH applied some pressure of their own before Neston broke and flooded the D which gave Alicia no chance in the ensuing scramble and Neston took the lead just before the break (1-0).

Ruth praised her players’ commitment at half-time and encouraged them to use the full width of the pitch and to call to one another more. Suitably fuelled by sugar and sage advice, Brooklands started strongly, cheered on by Hayley who was doing a magnificent job leading both the crèche and vocal encouragement. A neat steal by Bex set up a great run from Ruby who battled with Holly and Elana to break through. The Neston counter-attack was met by important tackles from Kelly, Heather, Becky and Sophie, which launched a good run from Holly and Ruby. Lucy C was ready for Neston’s break and Catherine’s well-read intercept set up Kelly for a great run down the right that forced Neston to concede a penalty corner. Lucy C’s injection set up Sophie for a well-aimed strike that forced a great save from the Neston keeper. Brooklands maintained the pressure down the right through Kelly and Holly, and Sophie fired in some great shots. Neston made a dangerous break and won a penalty corner of their own, which they converted to go 2-0 up. Brooklands came out strongly from the restart with Catherine, Sophie and Lucy LH working well together. Neston started to press home their advantage of extra subs but committed cover from Sophie and some cracking tackles from Catherine ensured their efforts were frustrated. Solid defence from Brooklands and well-positioned cover from Alicia resisted a Neston penalty corner and Holly and Elana made a great run down the left. Bex and Kelly halted Neston’s counter-attack and a committed clearance from Lucy C released Elana and Ruby to take the fight back up-field. Catherine broke up the Neston counter-attack and Becky and Heather made vital tackles before Lucy C made a Captain’s clearance. Neston made good use of their fresher legs and switched the ball well. Bex, Holly, Becky and Heather battled to keep them out but Neston finally converted a penalty corner with a well-worked move to win the match 3-0.

A fantastic turnout from the Lee family saw Catherine awarded a well-deserved ‘Man of the Match’ by Neston for her outstanding work as Centre Mid, and Lucy was clearly proud that her team had given their all. Elana was voted out MOM and as suspected Lucy c was DOD!

Match details

Match date

Sat 04 Feb 2017

Kickoff

TBC

Competition

Division 5

League position

3
Brooklands Poynton 4
7
Neston South Wirral 4
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Mens Main Sponsor - Cresta Court Hotel
Club Sponsor - Edmond Shipway
Kit Provider - Hawkinsport
Kit Sponsor - Adidas