Swanage & Wareham Ladies 0 Bretforton Ladies 0
West Clubs Women’s Hockey League Premier Division 2A
BRETFORTON Ladies are still odds-on to be relegated but they proved on Saturday they will not go down without a fight.
The Pink Ladies showed some real grit and determination after a long journey to Dorset and were unlucky not to come away with all three points.
The girls in pink put their Swanage counterparts under pressure from the first whistle and were unfortunate not to convert a number of short corners, as were Swanage who could not put away their chances.
There were numerous impressive performances throughout the Bret team, none more so than the mature Deb Slatter who the player of the match plaudits deservedly went to.
Bret’s penultimate game of the season was due to take place on Wednesday, March 25 at home to title hopefuls Swindon before the final game of the campaign on Saturday brings fellow strugglers Marlborough to the Vale.
Bretforton Ladies 2nds 0 Cheltenham Ladies 4ths 2
Severn Division Two
DESPITE suffering defeat in their penultimate game of the season, this was Bret Ladies 2nds’ best performance of the season.
With Cheltenham and Bretforton second and third respectively, it was anticipated to be a close contest, and on paper Cheltenham were favourites after losing only two matches this season.
However, as ever unfazed, Bret made an excellent start and were equal to the initial pressure Cheltenham put on the defence.
It was Bretforton who had the first meaningful attack as Ness and player of the match Hannah Dufty – playing in their usual right midfield roles – were rewarded with a short corner but Ness Dufty’s strike went just wide of the goal and the stalemate remained.
Jemima Hutchison, playing left back, had a superb game and showed great strength and pace, linking up well with Andrea Cole in left midfield.
However, the visitors struck before half time to take the lead, but Bretforton were not without numerous other chances.
Great work from Alice Cook in midfield allowed forward Lucy Cole to go close with a deflected shot which went just wide of the post, before a fine ball from Ness Dufty found Andrea Cole whose shot hit the post.
Forward Jess Eaves also went agonisingly close to an equaliser before salt was rubbed into the hosts’ wounds when a deflection gave the visitors a second goal.
Bretforton remain third and will aim to seal that place in Saturday’s final game of the season at Stroud 2nds.
Saturday’s match was sponsored by Mythe Medical Practice.
