Stourport Match Report

A new season, a new coach and a determined Brooklands Poynton squad ready to go and start the season off how they mean to go on. Slow starts had been Brooklands Poynton’s Achilles heel last season but this was not the case this time. The home side got off to a quick start and soon the ball was in the back of the opposition’s net minutes into the game- a commendable reverse stick hit by the captain, Helen Turner.
Brooklands continued to dictate the pace of the game and maintained the pressure on Stourport, which eventually took its toll, another goal for the home side, this time a deflection by Lindsay Rachubka from a brilliant ball by Berry…”Berry good!”
Stourport continued to persevere against the home side and it paid off, gaining a short corner mid-way in the first half, which Brooklands successfully defended against, Michelle Thomas (GK) making the first save followed by Kate Harris clearing the pads.
Despite, Stourport’s best efforts, Brooklands scored their third goal courtesy of great out-letting from the back to Catherine Savage who sent it to the top of the opposition’s circle where Lindsay Rachubka waited to “pull the trigger” and sweetly struck the ball first time into the bottom right hand corner.
The visitors succeeded to work the ball through a tight Brooklands press and entered their circle, but a determined defence to keep a clean sheet managed to regain possession of the ball.
Brooklands continued with pace, possession and pressure and from a great build up of play starting from Helen Turner to Charlotte Jackson, which lead to Nikki Tipping on the ball who made a great run and when her legs just could not keep pedalling away anymore she just managed to pass the ball at full stretch where Lindsay Rachubka again put the ball in the back of Stourport’s net- a hat-trick for the returning forward!
Going into the second half, the score was 4-0 to the home side, Stourport showed great character and resilience, keeping Brooklands from increasing their lead. A short corner for the visitors ended the game but unfortunately for them without a consolation goal.
A great start to the season for Brooklands Poynton who meet Durham University at Maiden Castle, which will no doubt be a close game but a great one… “game on!”

By Kate "Fresh" Harris