Ladies 1s -vs- Firebrands 2s
31 January 2009
2 - 1
Cheltenham Ladies 1st team returned to the outdoor league after their strong performance in the England Hockey Indoor Trophy with an accomplished performance and good result against Firebrands who they had also beaten at home earlier in the season. With a changed, but still strong squad, Cheltenham showed that they meant business at the bitterly cold Bristol pitch by applying plenty of early pressure. The forward line of Mayes, Lord, Lewis and top goal scorer Jones gave the home defence plenty to think about, with the attacking press paying dividends. However, half way through the first half, against the run of play, Firebrands earned a dubious penalty stroke as defender Daisy Noble bravely threw herself on the line to deny the attacking play. Young goalkeeper Corrie Farrell kept the away team in the game with a spectacular save, in her first league game back after injury. From there, Cheltenham made their attacking play count with a coolly taken goal from debutant and girlie of the game Sarah Sutton after strong attacking play down the left from Cook and Naylor. Cheltenham found plenty of space attacking down the right, with Michelle Walker creating lots of opportunities, however, the score remained 0-1 until early in the second half when captain Gayle Ashby scored a rare goal after tenacious work, following up a goal-mouth melee. Firebrands gave a final assault on the Cheltenham goal, but the centre-back pairing of Maffey and Wales U18 player Sian Evans held firm, until Firebrands scored a messy consolation goal late in the game.
Goal Scorers: Sarah Sutton, Gayle Ashby
Player of the Match: Sarah Sutton
Ladies 2s -vs- Marlborough
31 January 2009
5 - 1
Cheltenham Ladies 2s played host to Marlborough in their second meeting of the season, with the hope of taking a further three points from the travelling side. Cheltenham started the game positively, and quickly won a succession of short corners, with Rachel Chicken converting the third to make the score 1-0. Cheltenham continued to dominate the first half, playing clean crisp hockey at pace. More goals before the break came from captain Karen Keating in open play, and Lou Dowsett, who scored from a set piece. The second half and Cheltenham took the pressure off slightly, scoring only twice with Gemma Stevens and Sharon Metters adding their names to the score sheet. In a rare lapse of concentration, Marlborough took advantage of their only break in the game, to get one back, but they were the clear underdogs on the day. The new system that Cheltenham has adopted is certainly paying dividends, and the team is still well placed to challenge the league leaders for the title.
Goal Scorers: Rachel Chicken, Louisa Dowsett, Karen Keating, Gemma Stevens, Sharon Metters
Ladies 3s -vs- Dursley
31 January 2009
4 - 0
In the words of our umpire this week, this was the best game of hockey Cheltenham Ladies 3s have played this season. Everyone worked hard for each other, with good communication and great positioning, meaning that no matter who had the ball there was always a pass on. There were changes in the team from previous weeks, but the players adapted well. Player of the match went to Sarah Dale who made some skilful passes, distributing the ball well and running her socks off. Jemma Jones takes credit for two of the goals from excellent positioning on the post, with Ness Burton taking the third, performing some silky skills to get past the opposition's defence. Newcomer Madalain Leitch took the fourth goal on her debut into adult hockey.
Goal Scorers: Jemma Jones (2), Vanessa Burton, Madalain Leitch
Player of the Match: Sarah Dale
