Bretforton Ladies 0 Team Bath Buccaneers Ladies 2nds 2
West Clubs Women’s Hockey League Premier Division 2A
THE HIGH-FLYING visitors secured victory on Saturday but this was a vastly improved performance from the Pink Ladies.
With renewed fire in their bellies, Bret started all guns blazing and enjoyed the greater possession for the first 20 minutes of this end to end match.
With the inspirational words of vice-captain Polly Christian in their ears, the hosts were confident and captain Tess Lewinton almost put them ahead but her shot flew agonisingly wide.
The first goal was always likely to prove key in this hard fought contest but Bret could not take advantage of a second half short corner and soon afterwards came a controversial decision which turned the match in Team Bath’s favour when they were awarded a penalty stroke.
Impressive Bret keeper Vicky Watkins could not prevent the goal and the visitors struck again to seal victory despite the superb efforts of player of the match Daisy Wheeler and midfielders Lisa Workman and Amy Pinkney to keep their side in the contest.
Bretforton’s next league game is at home to Chippenham on November 8.
Ross-on-Wye Ladies 0 Bretforton Ladies 2nds 2
Severn Division Two
BRETFORTON Ladies 2nds maintained their momentum with victory at Monmouth.
Despite having key players missing from their usual line-up, Bret showed great endeavour and determination, and this paid dividends after 15 minutes when some fine play from Molly Stock at left back saw her link up with Lucy Cole on the left wing to win Bretforton a short corner.
Lucy Cole pushed out for Andrea Cole who teed up Ness Dufty to power home the opening goal.
Bretforton kept the pressure on and Deb Slatter and Jess Hyde up front made some superb runs on goal and Slatter, despite struggling with an injury, was unlucky to not score.
The hosts improved in the second half as Bret felt the effects of not having any substitutes but terrific defending from Stock, Jemima Hutchison, Eaves and Holly Hutchison, together with Nat Benwell in goal, kept the visitors’ lead intact.
Terrific work-rate from Andrea Cole in central midfield enabled the forwards to open up the Ross defence and Bret were rewarded with a penalty corner from which player of the match Ness Dufty picked up the rebound from her initial shot to make it 2-0.
Despite intense pressure from Ross in the last ten minutes and a penalty corner at the death, Bret showed their resilience to keep a clean sheet and move up to fifth in the table.
A tip to Cirencester 3rds on November 8 is next up for Bret.
The match was kindly sponsored by Martyn Cole Architecture Design.
