Chipping Campden Ladies 0 Bretforton Ladies 2nds 1
West Clubs Women’s Hockey League Severn Division Two
BRETFORTON Ladies 2nds ended league leaders Chipping Campden’s unbeaten record as Lucy Cole’s second half strike earned a thrilling victory in their first match of 2016.
Campden had won eight out of eight matches in the league this season but an excellent team effort, led by player of the match, keeper Lily Harrison-Perkins, ensured Bret claimed the points and sit second place in the table, six points off top spot.
Bretforton made the stronger impression in the first half and some lovely build-up play from midfielders Andrea Cole and Ness Dufty kept the pressure on the Campden goal.
The best chance of the first half fell to Lucy Cole who was just unable to get her stick on to a superb cross from Ness Dufty.
A great pass from Emily Lacy led to Hannah Dufty having a one-on-one with the keeper but her shot was blocked, before Ness Dufty found the back of the net from a short corner but it was ruled out as too high.
Bretforton expected Campden to step things up in the second half, but it was the visitors who continued to press and they grabbed the only goal 20 minutes into the second period.
Ness Dufty picked the ball up in midfield and, when Lacy slipped the ball to Lucy Cole, the latter held her nerve to sweep the ball past the advancing keeper into the net.
In the last ten minutes Campden stepped up the pressure but Bret defenders Lesley MacKinnon, Jess Hadley, Nat Benwell and Jemima Hutchison kept cool heads under some intense pressure and some brilliant keeping from Harrison-Perkins ensured Bret took the points.
On Saturday Bret 2nds are at home to Shipton Oliffe.
The first team return to action after the Christmas break with a home match against Leominster in the North Division.