Swindon Ladies 6 Bretforton Ladies 0
West Clubs Women’s Hockey League Premier Division 2A
LEADERS Swindon proved too strong for Bretforton on Saturday as the Pink Ladies suffered a third successive defeat.
The visitors, whilst without the services of long-serving keeper Vicky Watkins who was replaced by Heather Carr, were able to welcome back defenders Sarah Cook and Liz Murray-White.
Carr was soon called into action to make some brilliant saves and, whilst there was no doubting Bret’s commitment, they had to answer to the speed and movement of the home players as the hosts took a 4-0 lead into the break.
The visitors’ best chance came towards the end of the first half when a brief spell in front of goal saw a goalline scramble but the ball went just wide.
Wise words from stand-in coach Karen Porter and captain Tess Lewinton at half time refocused Bretforton, but a fantastic individual effort from Swindon’s ex-Uruguay international saw her pick the ball up from the egde of the circle and beat several players before executing a superb reverse flick which looped over the defenders and Carr into the net.
Midway through the second half Bretforton played their best hockey of the match and neat play between winger Amy Trotman and Hayley Whitehouse resulted in a short corner but, despite a well drilled short corner routine, Bretforton could not penetrate a solid Swindon defence and the chance went begging.
Excellent attacking play from Daisy Wheeler created a further chance when she passed to Emma Lowe, whose lightning fast cross straight between the penalty spot and the goal was not met by anyone and Bretforton were left rueing another missed chance.
Carr made some more good saves but she could not prevent a sixth goal for the rampant hosts and Bretforton will have to put this tough day at the office behind them when they host high-flying Team Bath Buccaneers 2nds on Saturday.
Bretforton would like to thank their matchball sponsor Lockheed Martin, RAF Brize Norton.
Bretforton Ladies 2nds 2 Cirencester Ladies 2nds 1
Severn Division Two
A GREAT team performance gave Bretforton Ladies 2nds their first win of the season.
The first ten minutes saw Bretforton pinned back by the Cirencester attack, but Nat Benwell, Lesley MacKinnon, Meg Betteridge and Holly Hutchison played confidently in defence.
Unfortunately, Bretforton were forced to change the defence less than midway through the first half when Benwell picked up an injury, but Jess Eaves – who replaced Benwell at the back – did an excellent marking job on her opponent, forcing her into making a number of errors.
The opening goal was scored by Cirencester when an unfortunate deflection off a Bretforton stick was picked up by their forward who slotted the ball into the net.
Bretforton kept their composure and began to take hold of the match and some lovely passing between Molly Stock and Hannah Dufty on the right wing created a number of openings.
It was Dufty who took the ball down the right and provided a perfect cross to Andrea Cole, who swept the ball into net to equalise.
Bret largely dominated the second half, although Cirencester did create some good opportunities to increase their tally, however Molly Ricketts in goal made some excellent saves.
Fifteen minutes into the second half some slick passing between midfielders Ness Dufty and Alice Cook found forward Lucy Cole who was unlucky not to score, but soon afterwards Ness Dufty’s cross found Andrea Cole, whose initial shot on goal was parried by the keeper, but great determination from Cole saw her divert the rebound into the net.
With five minutes left player of the match Andrea Cole was unlucky not to get her hat-trick with another diving attempt to deflect the ball in, only to see it go agonisingly wide.
Bret now head to Ross-on-Wye on Saturday in good spirits.
Saturday’s match was sponsored by C J Holmes Building Contractors.