The local derby between Stone Hockey Club’s Ladies 1sts and Uttoxeter was played in glorious sunshine at Thomas Alleynes High School in Uttoxeter, with Stone taking a well-deserved three points.
Stone were relishing this encounter as they felt they had something to prove following on from their 3-3 draw at the first meeting in the season when Stone felt they should have edged the win. Stone went into this game with a full compliment of players and went out with the sole intention of a victory.
The game started well and Stone had Uttoxeter pinned into their own half for the 10 minutes but Stone could not take advantage of this as the Uttoxeter defence remained strong. Stone continued to push but soon Uttoxeter got into their stride, Stone stuck to their game plan and Cassie Whalley played Uttoxeter’s leading goal scorer Jo Rea out of the game.
Both teams were attacking hard but it was Uttoxeter who got the first breakthrough when they were awarded a short corner with 8 minutes of the first half remaining, Uttoxeter duly converted this and took the lead, this was short lived as with 2 minutes of the first half remaining Sarah Lamburn intercepted a Uttoxeter clearance passed the ball to Annie Holmes who clinically drilled the ball home.
After the break Stone came out fighting and regained their shape and soon Stone’s superior fitness started to show, Deb Wood and Megan Sanders worked well down the left to create several chances but the scores remained level, Rachel Scarisbrick the Stone captain rallied the team on and lead by example from the centre of midfield.
Stone’s hard work finally paid off when they were awarded a short corner, Annie Holmes struck from the top of the D and Rachel Scarisbrick ever present at the right post tucked the ball past the Uttoxeter keeper 2-1. From this point onwards a Stone victory never looked in doubt. The confidence of the lead made Stone push further onwards.
An interception by sweeper Tracey Phillips who calmly passed the ball to man of the match Rachel Lloyd who made a spectacular pass to Annie Holmes in the centre of the pitch who completed a 1-2 with Deb Wood before calmly slotting the ball past Uttoxeter’s oncoming keeper. Stone held firm for the last 10minutes of the game and took a well deserved 3 points out of the game, every member of the Stone squad had given 110% and Annie Holmes and Cassie Whalley had undoubtedly their best games of the season.
Stone remain in 3rd place in the table but now with only 4 points between them and top spot, Stone look to build on this victory and look to take maximum points from their remaining 4 fixtures, the first of these being against Edgbaston at home on Saturday 8th March.
Lots more information about Stone Hockey Club on their website HERE
