Stone Ladies 1st’s turned on the style to get a 7-0 win over Hampton-in-Arden and continue their winning form in the league.
The Enson Lane side didn’t have to wait long for the goals to start going in. Within the first minute, Rachel Lloyd picked the ball up and with her pace drove into the ‘d’ with ease giving a straight forward tap in at the far post for top goal scorer Annie Holmes.
Six minutes later, Holmes struck again, receiving a good clearance from defender Taya Millman on the half way line allowing Holmes to finish sweetly and put stone 2-0 up. The 3rd came from a short corner with captain Rachel Scarisbrick running in on the post for a deflection. Goals kept flowing with Debbie Wood getting on the score sheet from a good delivery from the young Rachel Kavanagh-Gregory and Scarisbrick getting her second, taking Stone into the half time break 5-0 up.
Stone came out with the same intensity for the second half and bagged themselves a sixth early on, with a great strike from Bex Ward rattling the backboard. Hampton fought back putting pressure on the Stone defence, but the strong defensive unit of Tracey Phillips, Cassie Whalley, Fran Gamble and Taya Millman kept any attacks at bay. Keeper Sarah Jones reacted when tested to keep a clean sheet.
Stone weren’t finished there however and ended the game on a high with Debbie Wood adding her 2nd of the game and defender Taya Millman coming close, hitting the post. This result brings Stone up to 5th in the league and will be looking for another win at the weekend with a home fixture against Lichfield.
Stone Ladies 2nd’s battle to the end
On paper the result should have been a formality: Aldridge have not yet lost a game and Stone’s league position seemed to dictate a loss would be on the cards. Although the result didn’t go their way, Stone’s performance was their best of the season so far and certain gave the visiting team something to think about!
Fielding a strong squad, Stone took the fight to Aldridge from the start and were determined to use their 4 substitutes to their best advantage. Team managed from the sidelines by 1st team-er Tracey Phillips, the name of the game was ‘maximum effort’ followed by a period of substitution for rest. The team responded well to this setup, each running their socks off during their period of work.
Aldridge were the first to strike, their goal coming from a well-worked run and finding the backboard with authority. And, although a second slightly softer goal followed, Stone answered with a fast, well-built play that allowed youngster Sally Tyler to add to her growing season tally.
Going into half time 2-1 down, the Arden’s-sponsored team was urged to talk more on the pitch (it’s certainly not an issue off the pitch, so we’re working to increase the volume during game time!) and maintain their discipline. The team certainly gave their all for the final 35mins: a final soft goal from Aldridge sealed the win, but the scoreline definitely doesn’t reflect the effort and quality of game Stone Ladies 2s can deliver.
Captain Emma Dutton is confident the team is now picking up pace and the wins are on their way. She said: “Our team has grown from strength to strength this season. I can’t ask any more of the girls in terms of effort: they pull together week after week and it’s often very hard to single out our own man of the match, which is testament to the way we’re combining on the pitch. I think the team would agree a draw would have been a fair result today. We have confidence in one another and are playing some of our best hockey yet: I have every faith the wins will start to come!”
They may not have won this battle, but they’re going to win the war! Next up: Stafford!
Lots more information about Stone Hockey Club on their website HERE
