Lancaster 1 vs Longridge 1

Lancaster 1s      4-3        Longridge 1s

A depleted Lancaster 1s side welcomed Longridge 1s on Saturday. Despite having no substitutes Lancaster took the game to the opposing team from the get go, earning a number of penalty corners. Nicola Conway struck home first with a thunder bolt strike into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal after 6 minutes. Lancaster maintained the pressure but couldn’t convert the chances.

Longridge earned a number of their own short corners which the Lancaster defence cleared with composure, that was until the 26th minute when the away team tried a one two routine that managed to outsmart Ella Bookless as she charged out to clear the ball. It was 1-1 at half time.

Conway put Lancaster in front again with a repeat of her first goal, 3 minutes into the second half. Another 3 minutes passed and classy Conway scored her hat-trick almost taking the game away from Longridge.

Longridge fought back and again won a flurry of penalty corners. Goalkeeper Leighan Bleasdale made a number of fine saves to keep Longridge at bay but eventually was beaten off a rebound that was smashed into the back board.

Despite the setback Lancaster pressed hard and gained possession from a Longridge hit out. Holly Hunter drove into the D and with all her strength scored a goal of the month contender hitting the roof of the net giving the Goalkeeper absolutely no chance.

Longridge will feel hard done by for not being awarded a penalty stroke due to a body on the line save by Jayde Christeansen. However, they eventually scored off a one on one that came from a side line that should have been a Lancaster ball. Karma restored, making it 4-3.

On the final whistle Longridge won a final short corner. Lancaster were determined not to throw away the 3 points. Hayley Standeven-Johns was alert to the danger and cleared the ball out of the D to the delight of the home team.

Team: Leighan Bleasdale (GK) (C), Nina Helme, Zoe Oswald, Nicola Conway, Hayley Standeven-Johns, Rebecca Worthington, Holly Hunter, Olivia Partington, Ella Bookless, Jayde Christeansen and Libby Thwaites

Goal Scorers: Nicola Conway x3 and Holly Hunter

Player of the Match: Nicola Conway

Team Sponsor: Sue Bridges Estate and Letting Agents

Match Sponsor: Northwood Lancaster Lettings