Lancaster 1 vs Garstang 1

Garstang 1s       1-1        Lancaster 1s

Lancaster travelled to local Club Garstang on Saturday and it was the away team that started the brightest piling on the pressure on from the get go.

The first goal came from a scooped shot from Katie Oliver that was deflected into the goal by Libby Thwaites. Lancaster continued to mount the pressure but Garstang were able to clear their lines.

The middle of the match was a scrappy affair with neither team playing their best hockey. Garstang won a number of penalty corners that were defended solidly by the Lancaster defence of Ella Bookless, Jayde Christeansen and Heather Shackleton. It was 1-0 to Lancaster at half-time.

Into the second half and Lancaster found themselves down to 10 when the ball was knocked away after giving away a free hit. Garstang were unable to take advantage and Lancaster continued to press forward.

Lancaster found themselves down to 9 players in the last 20 minutes after a clumsy tackle at the top of the D and a head injury after some dangerous play by the home side. The melee resulted in a Lancaster player being yellow carded for dissent. Despite the setback Lancaster continued to defend solidly and goalkeeper Leighan Bleasdale was called into action a number of times but she cleared the ball well. Garstang became frustrated that they were unable to score despite having a two-player advantage.

Shortly after Lancaster returned to 11 players, Garstang broke through the middle. Lancaster delayed the attack my giving away a free hit but were then slow to set; the ball was fired to the back post for the Garstang forward to fire it into the goal with 8 minutes to go.

Into the final two minutes and despite tired legs Lancaster won a penalty corner that they were unable to convert. Garstang broke down the left hand side of the pitch and a long ball was hit though but Shackleton alert to the danger cleared the ball away as the umpire blew the final whistle.

Team: Leighan Bleasdale (GK) (C), Nina Helme, Nicola Conway, Jayde Christeansen, Julie Walker, Libby Thwaites, Zoe Oswald, Ella Bookless, Carla Bleasdale, Katie Oliver, Heather Shackleton and Caitlin Ball

Goal Scorer: Libby Thwaites

Player of the Match: Jayde Christeansen

Match Sponsor: KB Electrical (North West) Ltd