Here are the latest reports from Stone Hockey Club…
Stone Ladies 1st team secured another three points last weekend with a 4-1 win at Telford and Wrekin.
On a wet and windy day, the Enson Lane side travelled to Telford determined to continue their winning form. The game began openly with end to end play. It was the home side who took the lead when a goal line scrap resulted in the opening goal.
Stone thought back strongly creating numerous goal scoring opportunities. After a long period of pressure Stone finally broke the dead lock, Dee Locker broke down the left, passing the ball to Debs Wood to make it 1 all.
Stone struck again from a penalty corner, Tracey Phillips drilled the ball across the D for captain Rachel Scarisbrick to deflect in at the far corner. Annie Holmes got the 3rd from a good delivery from Bex Ward down the right.
Telford fought back in the final third of the game, breaking numerous times down the right side, however Man of the Match Rachel Kavanagh Gregory made numerous strong interceptions to break down any attacks. Keeper Sarah Jones also reacted well when tested.
Stone weren’t finished however and ended the game on a high with Debs Wood adding her second of the game to make the final score 4-1.
This result keeps Stone 3rd in the league and will be looking for another win next week with a home fixture against Warwick which would see the Enson Lane side move up into 2nd place.
Comeback victory for Stone Hockey Club Ladies 2nd team
Ladies 2s delivered their performance of the season so far with a wonderful comeback against 3rd place WATs.
The past few weeks have been a period of transition for the team, losing Emily Obhrai to Borneo travels, Aisling O’Brien and Jasmine Spooner to weekend commitments and Michelle Miles-Brown’s attacking firepower to a hip injury. There has been some movement within the squad to accommodate these changes and unavailability, however the team continues to impress week after week with their enthusiasm, flexibility and determination. Saturday’s encounter against WATs was no exception.
Stone’s 8-2 defeat in the first half of the season still fresh in their minds, the team was ready to stamp its authority on the game from the outset. The defensive back line of Kay Barr, Beth Bailey and Laura Miles-Brown protected Alanah Spilsbury fantastically where possible however the opposition made decisive work of a penalty corner within 6 minutes to go 1 up.
Steph Tooth returned to sweep and linked well with both defence and attack, intercepting stray shots and working hard as usual. The midfield team of Kirsty Taylor, Laura Robinson and Nicole Lockett held the ball up beautifully and provided the forward line of Fi Brown, captain Emma Dutton and Sally Tyler with some great balls.
WATs didn’t stumble into 3rd in the table by chance. Their quick, decisive passing (plus 3 substitutes) tired Stone and the Eagles made solid use of fresh legs from up-and-comer Enya Collier to keep the Wolverhampton team at bay. It’s fair to say Stone were still in touch at the break and attacked the second half with gusto.
Kath Taylor took the field for the 2nd half, albeit laid up with cold. Her influence was immediately apparent and Stone battled on. Support for the sidelines suggested WATs were tiring and, although a few questionable decisions went against the Eagles, they kept their heads up. As time ticked away Lockett provided the decisive ball into the D that changed the game.
Hitting the ball with amazing pace, her pass was collected by Dutton who struck to find the back of the net with just 2m 24s of the second half remaining. The team was elated, a draw within sight. Hunkering down from the centre pass, Dutton found herself in a position to hassle and drove the ball towards the back line. A quick pass in found Sally Tyler waiting on the P spot; her shot was never in doubt and hit the backboard with just 1m 14s left, much to the delight of her teammates!
The team held till the final whistle and was absolutely overwhelmed by the comeback. Groups hugs, squealing and jumping ensued, easily the best match they’ve played all season. They demonstrated enormous resilience to win and morale is at an all time high! Ladies 2s can’t wait to take on their next league challenge of Bloxwich at home on 1st March!
