Stone Hockey Club Ladies 2’s took the fight to 2nd-in-the-league Uttoxeter last weekend, determined to make amends for their 7-1 drubbing at the beginning of the season.
Buoyed by their strong performances in previous weeks, Stone dominated from the off and soon found the backboard with a beautifully-worked play. Kath Taylor fired a beaut of a ball out to Nicole Lockett. Passing through to Captain Emma Dutton, the centre forward held the ball up towards the D and found Michelle Miles-Brown with a pass that needed just a touch to stun the Uttoxeter defence.
The team were ecstatic to have such a superb start and were again rewarded for their efforts just moments later. A stray defensive ball was intercepted by Dutton who used her pace to drive towards the goal, placing to the right of the keeper and finding the net with a simple touch.
Uttoxeter didn’t earn their position in the league by chance, however, and fought hard. Their well-worked attacks challenged the Stone defensive line and soon not one, not two, but three goals found their way into the Enson Lane team’s net by the half-time whistle.
Sally Tyler was charged with man-marking Uttoxeter’s #16 out of the game and performed with finesse. At every opportunity Tyler pressured their play-maker and completely demolished any opportunity they tried to create. Indeed, Tyler was honoured by her teammates as MOTM in light of such a wonderful performance. Uttoxeter selected Jasmine Spooner as their MOTM for a strong game at left half.
Alanah Spilsbury had another superb game in goal, making many fine saves. The second half remained scoreless and Stone were disappointed to let victory slip through their fingers. Onwards and upwards, however! Stone next face Stafford in their rearranged fixture from two weeks ago.
