Bretforton Ladies Veterans 2 Telford & Wrekin Ladies Veterans 1
THERE was a welcome victory for Bretforton Hockey Club to celebrate at the weekend as their Ladies Veterans team secured a fine win in the Investec Women’s Masters Over 35s Trophy.
The Bret ladies were definitely quickest out of the traps and immediately put Telford under pressure and it was not long before the baby of the team – Sarah Hall – scored a cute little reverse stick goal that had enough lift to go over the keeper.
Telford were a determined side, however, and had it not been for Bret goalkeeper Vicky Watkins leaping like a salmon to push a raised shot around the post, they surely would have equalised.
The home side continued to push on as Sarah Bragg, Ness Dufty, Danni Cox and Sarah Davis all threatened on the ball and caused the Telford defence some serious problems.
The second half saw Telford crank up the pressure but brilliant defending by Jane Wheeler, Sarah Cook and Sophie Hamilton kept wave after wave of Telford attacks at bay.
In what was to be an exciting period of hockey, Bret doubled their lead. A great break out of defence by Blanche Surman saw her ball find its way into the opposition D and Sarah Hall was then on hand to pass the ball to Julie Hall who coolly slotted the ball home.
Telford had many opportunities to score and numerous short corners and they did get a scrappy goal back but it was too little, too late, as more stoic defending by Deb Slatter and Amanda Chambers plus more saves by player of the match Watkins saw Bretforton keep their lead and see them safely through to the next round.
Many thanks go to the Bret supporters, Marion for the catering, Marcus and Sue for their words of wisdom and general help and Lisa Workman for organising the whole thing. The Bret team are now eagerly anticipating news of the draw for the next round.
Marlborough Ladies 3 Bretforton Ladies 0
West Clubs Women’s Hockey League Premier Division 2A
BRET Ladies remain rooted to the bottom of the table after a spirited display went unrewarded on Saturday.
From the first whistle Bret pushed forward, using some training ground moves to weave up the pitch and put pressure immediately on the opposition defence.
However, Marlborough managed to keep Bret at bay and they themselves made a break and were awarded a short corner which was converted to open the scoring.
Bret continued to work hard with some great running from strike partnership Deb Slatter and Sarah Hall, whilst Emma Lowe got into some excellent positions to receive the ball and, with Hayley Whitehouse’s dangerous runs, Bret looked like they were going to come back.
After a smashing cross from Whitehouse, Lowe was unlucky not to deflect the ball into the goal.
The game was very even and Bret could see there were chances to be had. Amy Pinkney and Danni Cox worked the ball well down the right hand side, looking threatening many times, but, with Bret pushing hard, Marlborough managed to clear their lines and make another break to once again win a short corner from which they scored their second goal.
Stand-in goalkeeper Heather Carr made some good saves and ‘vintage’ player Jane Wheeler showed her appetite for the challenge on her return, but Bret could not score despite winning numerous short corners and the outcome was put beyond doubt when the hosts scored again from a quickly taken free hit.
Although the scoreline does not reflect the game, positives from the game were Bret’s fighting spirit, great passing and everyone working hard for each other. Joint players of the match were Slatter and Wheeler.
The league season now stops for a Christmas break and Bret will hope for better results when the action resumes again at Newent on January 17.