Lancaster 1 vs Neston 1

Neston 1s          1-2        Lancaster 1s    

Lancaster had a rocky start to Saturday morning where travel issues delayed the team’s arrival. Despite the lack of warm up, Lancaster lined up to take on last season’s runners-up Neston.

Both teams started brightly and it was clear from the get go it would be a physical match. Holly Hunter channelled her frustration at being on the receiving end of some strong tackles by driving the ball up the right wing and firing a number of crosses into the D. The Neston GK was alert to deflect away the danger.

Lancaster suffered an injury and green card set back when Libby Thwaites went off injured and Katie Oliver broke up play with a blatant back stick stopping Neston attacking.

Hunter hurried the Neston midfield, forcing them to lose possession. She drove into the D and shot at goal; the first shot was saved but the rebound was smashed home to give Lancaster a 1-0 lead.

Neston rallied their troops and mounted the pressure on the Lancaster defence, shots at goal were saved and cleared away and the penalty corner routines were defended well by Ella Bookless and Jayde Christeansen.

Into the second half Lancaster knew they needed another goal to settle the nerves. Another quick attack down the right-hand side found Julie Walker with space to feed to the ball across to 1^st Team debutant Lauren Allwood to tap the ball passed the outstretched goalkeeper into the lefthand corner of the goal, cheering before it crossed the line.

Neston once again mounted their attack and had a breakaway 2v1 against Lancaster goalkeeper Leighan Bleasdale. The Neston player passed the ball back post for what should have been a tap in but Bleasdale dived full stretch on the diagonal and flicked the ball away for Bookless to clear.

Into the last 10 minutes Neston won a number of penalty corners, they converted eventually after a third phase reverse stick shot that was an awkward height for Lancaster to reach. Lancaster had 5 minutes to see out the game to win the three points.

Lancaster agonisingly gave away another penalty corner. The defence were determined not to concede another goal. The Neston forward received the ball and dragged the ball passed the number one runner and Bleasdale’s left hand but Angie Evans-Hill calmly flicked the ball away that any cricketer would have been proud of!

Team: Lauren Allwood, Leighan Bleasdale (C) (GK), Ella Bookless, Alice Boston, Jayde Christeansen, Angie Evans-Hill, Nina Helme, Holly Hunter, Katie Oliver, Zoe Oswald, Libby Thwaites and Julie Walker

Goal Scorers: Holly Hunter and Lauren Allwood

Player of the Match: Holly Hunter

Sponsor: Sue Bridges Estate and Letting Agents

Ball Sponsor: Hazel Bishop