Men's 3s -vs- Leominster A
29 March 2009
3 - 3
The Men's 3s travelled to Leominster, requiring a point to win the league. This would have been a formality normally, but the opposition had a surprisingly strong side out. The visitors started the game quite strongly with some good attacking play and all looked well. Unfortunately Leominster took the game by the scruff of the neck and Cheltenham were quickly under intense pressure. The pressure continued throughout the first half which saw Cheltenham two goals down at half time. The second period was a calmer affair, and the Cheltenham side gradually worked their way back into the match, drawing level after 60 minutes. It wasn't enough as Leominster pressurised the Cheltenham goal, taking the lead with 2 minutes on the clock. This really motivated Cheltenham who threw everything at Leominster, the equaliser coming just before full time. Cheltenham euphoric, especially as they had hit the crossbar and had a good goal disallowed. The Men's 3s showed great spirit, teamwork and good skill, as they have throughout the season.
Goal Scorers: Jo Hammonds (3)
Player of the Match: Mark Gayler
Ladies 1s -vs- Team Bath Buccaneers
29 March 2009
2 - 2
Cheltenham Ladies 1s rewarded the large crowd of spectators in the warm spring sunshine with a nail-biting 2-2 draw against promotion-chasing Bath Buccaneers on Sunday. In a great quality game of hockey, with both sides passing the ball well on the fast Balcarras pitch, the score remained at 0-0 at half-time thanks to some top-class saves from Cheltenham's GK and girlie of the game Lara Harvey who slotted well into the 1st team. Against the run of play, Bath took the lead early in the 2nd half when their first penalty corner was tipped in on the line by a Bath forward. Cheltenham then raced straight down the other end and equalised from the re-start when Nat Lewis slammed the ball home after a great attacking move down the right from young forwards Emma Bevan and Georgie Jefferies. It looked like the game had a 1-1 draw written on it, until Bath broke the Cheltenham defence late in the game and took the advantage. Cheltenham pushed hard and were rewarded in the final minute when a Bath mistake saw Emma Bevan one-on-one with the keeper. After her initial strike came agonisingly back off the post, Nat Lewis pounced in true centre-forward style and levelled the game up at 2-2, 30 seconds before the final whistle.
Goal Scorers: Nat Lewis (2)
Player of the Match: Lara Harvey
Ladies 2s -vs- Clifton 3s
29 March 2009
3 - 2
Cheltenham 2s continued their great run of form with a comfortable 2-0 win away against Clifton 3s on Saturday. As if a shock to the system was what was needed, Cheltenham arrived in plenty of time at Coombe Dingle, only to realise 25 mins before push-back that they were at the wrong pitch!! Despite a mad dash across Bristol to Clifton College, and very quick warm-up, Cheltenham surprisingly started the game the brighter side! Cheltenham used the experience in the team to out-pass the young Clifton side with Angie Pearce, Karen Keating, Rachel Chicken and Sharon Metters controlling the game, and releasing the young forwards Ness Burton and Therese D'Souza to great effect. The early pressure paid off when girlie of the game Kim Cook coolly flicked a penalty corner re-bound into the net after Sophy Jowett's hard strike was parried by the Clifton keeper. Cheltenham's defence was rarely troubled in the first half, with GK Lara Harvey hardly touching the ball for the 3rd week running, Hannah Tredgett making the most of the available space on the right, and Becci Brown slotting in to the 2nd team well. Cheltenham made it 2-0 as Jo Taylor pounced in the Clifton circle just before half-time and finished in style. The game was won at half-time, and in the 2nd half, Cheltenham continued the pressure and thwarted Clifton's rare attacks. This win cements Cheltenham's 3rd place in the North Division of the West League.
Goal Scorers: Kim Cook, Jo Taylor
Player of the Match: Kim Cook
