1st October Match Reports

GMHA Team Match Report

A WELL EARNED SCORE DRAW

Reddish began their start to the Greater Manchester with a well earned score draw. The increase in playing standard meant that Reddish had to raise their game from the Stockport league and play some good hockey against a vastly experienced Newton side. The game started two hours later than scheduled and this may have affected Reddish’s concentration as they went a goal behind within the first five minutes, from a well struck shot from Newton’s Gwen Spencer.

Sensing the opportunity to get more goals, Newton continued to attack and this meant Reddish goalkeeper Sarah Wantling had to be on her toes to keep out the shots from the Newton forwards. Dives to the left and right from the keeper meant that the score stayed at one-nil until midway through the first half when Reddish equalised with an excellent piece of individual skill from Jenny Worth. A reverse stick drive right into the top left corner pulled Reddish back level and the game became nail biting with both teams wanting to get that first win of the season.

The beginning of the second half again saw the Reddish keeper saving shots from all angles as was the ferocity of the Newton attack. However the ball did eventually find the way into the back of the Reddish net from Hannah Clarke after a goal mouth scramble. Newton looked to increase their lead by constantly attacking the Reddish circle and earning numerous penalty corners, with shots resulting from them narrowly missing the far post. Yet it was not always Reddish who had to defend and as the end of the match drew near, Reddish piled on the pressure and earned themselves a number of penalty corners.

The frantic pace of the game meant that both teams were tiring and towards the end of the second half, a well worked penalty corned from Reddish enabled Becky Schofield room to place an unstoppable drive into the bottom right hand corner and drew Reddish level once again. In the last minute Reddish nearly took the game from Newton with another reverse stick shot, this time from Lucy Cook who narrowly missed and Reddish were unlucky to win after it just shaved the post. An excellent game of hockey despite the late start and both teams will be able to take lots of positives from the game from the future season.

Report By Rachel Dunley.