Lancaster 2 vs Fylde 4 (LHA Cup)

Fylde 4s              (2) 0-0 (3)           Lancaster 2s (LHA Cup – Lancaster win on penalty strokes)

Lancaster 2s travelled away to Mill Farm to play Fylde 4s in the Lancashire Hockey Association Cup. As the teams set up to start the game the rain started to pour down only seeming to lighten for parts of the game. Fylde started the stronger of the two teams and this was the common theme throughout the whole game. The Lancaster defence and midfield stayed strong though making vital tackles and interceptions to keep Fylde out. The game ended 0-0 and went to a penalty flick shoot out to decide the winner.

Goalkeeper Rebecca Halliwell dived right with an outstretched stick to save Fylde’s first stroke. Super sub Leighan Bleasdale calmly walked up to take the first penalty stroke. After placing the ball on the spot, she calmed herself before getting set. At the sound of the whistle, she calmly flicked the ball to the keepers left hitting the side board giving Lancaster a 1-0 lead.

Goalkeeper Rebecca Halliwell dived right and saved Fylde’s second stroke onto the post, keeping Lancaster in the lead. Lottie Horner stepped up to take Lancaster’s 2nd stroke, the Fylde goalkeeper managed to get a foot to the ball, keeping Fylde in the game.

Fylde scored their third stroke making the score line 1-1. Jess Dawson stepped up for Lancaster next and she calmly pushed the ball to the keepers left earning Lancaster a 2-1 lead.

Fylde scored their 4th stroke after it snuck in under the diving Lancaster Goalkeeper. Zoe Oswald was up next to take a stroke for Lancaster. After putting the ball on the spot, she stood in the zone waiting not looking anywhere but at the goal. She coolly flicked the ball to the keepers left out of reach of her outstretched foot.

Lancaster led 3-2, it all went down to the final round of strokes. If Goalkeeper Rebecca Halliwell saved the Fylde stroke Lancaster would win, if the goal was scored the pressure was all on Katie Oliver’s shoulders as the last stroke taker for Lancaster.

Goalkeeper Rebecca Halliwell set herself on the line as the Fylde player walked over to the spot. As the umpire blew the whistle the stadium was silent, the Fylde player flicked the ball to Halliwell’s right, it was heading for the top corner. Halliwell leapt and flew through the air with an outstretched stick, time stood still as both the ball and the goalkeeper hung in the air. Before Halliwell made clean contact with the ball and smashed it away earning Lancaster a 3-2 win. 

Team: Rebecca Halliwell (GK) (C), Lottie Horner, Frances Archer, Molly Chapman, Kiera Langley, Amelia Welch, Zoe Oswald, Katie Oliver, Lauren Allwood, Emily Verden, Jess Dawson, Susie Crayton and Leighan Bleasdale

Penalty Stroke Goal Scorers: Leighan Bleasdale, Jess Dawson and Zoe Oswald

Players of the Match: Rebecca Halliwell and Kiera Langley

Match Sponsor: Barbara Glover