Lancaster 3 vs Chorley Phoenix 2

Lancaster 3s      0-0        Chorley Phoenix 2s

Lancaster 3s welcomed Chorley Phoenix 2s this weekend, in what turned out to be a nail-biting game. Lancaster started off the brighter of the two teams with the midfield of Jayne Roper and Naomi Osborne driving Lancaster forward. Some great play upfront from Diana Taylor, Izzy Liver, Hope Morgan and Kathryn Ellison saw Lancaster earn a flurry of penalty corners, which the diving Chorley Phoenix goalkeeper kept out every time. Chorley Phoenix pushed back and the defence were soon called into action, Amanda Bamforth and Angie Evans-Hill were strong in the middle and prevented any dangerous attacks getting through.

The second half was more end to end, Lancaster’s half backs Chloe Shatford and Molly Chapman drove Lancaster forward, finding Emily Bamber-Dowthwaite in the D, only for her to see her shots saved or the whistle blown earning Lancaster more penalty corners. Goalkeeper Rebecca Halliwell had to stay switched on, despite having very little to do in the first half, Chorley Phoenix found themselves breaking more and more in the second and they earned a number of penalty corners. The Lancaster defence were equal to their routines and some great running to the top of the D prevented any dangerous shots being fired towards the Lancaster goal.

With 10 minutes to go, Lancaster pushed everyone forward hoping to find that elusive goal. With 1 minute to go Lancaster earned a penalty corner, by the time everyone was set up, the umpire blew the final whistle. Lancaster sent everyone up around the D in the hope that more bodies meant a greater chance of the ball finding its way to the back of the net. The first penalty corner hit another foot before it left the D, so a re-take was awarded. The ball was fired to the top of the D and was expertly struck, before it found its way into the back of the net. However, the whistle was blown to stop time again for the umpires to discuss the passage of play. The goal was overruled as the ball had not left the D, much to the dismay of Lancaster.

The game ended 0-0.

Team: Rebecca Halliwell, Angie Evans-Hill, Amanda Bamforth, Chloe Shatford, Molly Chapman, Jayne Roper, Emily Bamber-Dowthwaite, Kathryn Ellison, Izzy Liver, Hope Morgan, Naomi Osborne and Diana Taylor

Player of the Match: Molly Chapman and Angie Evans-Hill

Match Sponsor: KB Electrical (North West) Ltd