West Women's Hockey League

Berkeley Division One

Wotton 2 Thornbury 0

THERE was little to choose between the two teams at the start of this local derby, but Wotton took the ascendancy at the end of the first half and were clearly in charge throughout the second.

The machinery was slow to turn at the start and both sides were misfiring, but as they warmed up the flowing moves began to appear.

Thornbury engaged in a number of well-constructed passing movements in the early stages but then players decided to to hold onto the ball too long and got themselves into trouble against a lively home side.

The match was goalless at the interval but, after some tuning at the break, Wotton came out firing on all cylinders and immediately won two penalty corners, the second of which was converted by skipper Jasmin George.

Ten minutes later a penetrating drive from Claire Clarke threaded through the defence and was deftly touched in by Sharron Bates.

The home side could well have increased their lead but a shot from Heather Reid struck the post and another effort was illegally stopped on the line but George’s penalty flick went just wide.

Wotton continued to collect scoring opportunities and won a clutch of penalty corners but, apart from one sizzling shot from Ellie Stimpson that the Thornbury keeper deflected on to the post, their concentration had lapsed and none looked challenging.

Deep down in the engine room, player-of-the-match Anna Patteson, Myra Patterson and vice-captain Josie Buist worked tirelessly to form the bulkhead of the defence and draft the blueprints for the repeated attacks.

Tracey Jones and Poppy Woolnough were prominent up front, whilst Amanda McGarry and Sian Fuller tried desperately to rally the side but Thornbury continue to find goalscoring difficult.

Thornbury face another tough game on Saturday at home to Yate seconds at Castle School, midday, while Wotton visit Wick (11.45am).