Hereford Ladies 3 Bretforton Ladies 0
West Clubs Women’s Hockey League Premier Division 2A
BRETFORTON Ladies knew they were in for a tough challenge at Hereford on Saturday but they were left to rue missed chances and what might have been as they licked their wounds on the way back to the Vale.
In what is always a tough away fixture, Bret’s task was immediately made even more difficult when Hereford were awarded – and duly converted – a penalty flick within the first three minutes.
The Pink Ladies were again forced to defend stoutly and they kept out many of the short corners that were coming their way, although one was converted to make it 2-0 at the break.
After some tough talking from everyone the Bret girls came out firing in the second half and their passing, tenacity, strength and willingness to be first to the ball could not be faulted, although they had left themselves with the proverbial mountain to climb.
Bret did have the ball in the back of the net and the goal was given, only for it then to be strangely disallowed by the Hereford umpire. On such decisions games are won and lost and that was to be the case here.
The hosts were then awarded another penalty flick that was clinically converted and there was no reward for the visitors despite their best efforts, particularly those of player of the match Emma Lowe who was tireless with her running and inventive play.
This was another harsh scoreline for Bret to take but the girls will simply have to take this one on the chin and look towards Saturday’s (noon) crucial game against Swanage & Wareham at Evesham High School astro pitch where the division’s bottom two go head-to-head.
Saturday’s match ball was kindly sponsored by The Stick Club of Cheltenham.
