West Clubs Women’s Hockey League

Berkeley Division One

Lydney 2nd XI 1 Wotton 2

IF CHANCES were chickens, Wotton’s hen house would be full after their late afternoon trip to the Forest of Dean on Saturday.

Wotton quickly settled to the darkening conditions and dominated the proceedings.

A series of attacks led to a series of penalty corners and then a penalty flick that player-of-the-match Jasmin George put to give Wotton the lead.

Minutes later Sharron Bates pounced on a loose ball and made it two.

At the end of the half Lydney showed their greatest promise and won their only penalty corner, which they converted with a shot that crashed into the backboard.

Wotton were unlucky not to score in the second half.

They completely dominated territory and possession and the near misses included Beccy Chalmers’ penalty corner being disallowed for height, Heather Reid shooting just past the post, George just clearing the crossbar and three consecutive shots all being parried by the busy home side ‘keeper.

This was an impressive display from the full-strength Wotton team and, although they should have recouped a clutch of goals, you should never count your chickens.

Berkeley Division Two

Bristol & West 0 Wotton 2nd XI 1

FROM the start of this game, Wotton were straight on the ball despite the torrential rain.

Good passing, communication and control of the game in the midfield, supported by the tireless effort of defenders Ming Green and Georgie Aldridge, helped give Wotton the majority of possession.

At half-time the score was still 0-0 but Wotton came off hungry for more and, fired up by newly-appointed team manager Stu Emms, went back on determined to score.

Several short corners were thwarted by Bristol & West’s fast and strong defence but defender Aldridge was ready at each hit-out to send it back to the midfielders and forwards, who kept applying the pressure.

With just 10 minutes remaining, and with players slipping, sliding and colliding in the constantly pouring rain, Cessy Tyne and Sophie Adamson, two of the team’s youngest players, moved the ball with textbook precision down the pitch, releasing it to captain Victoria McCuaig waiting on post, who slipped it in behind the keeper.

Wotton’s fitness paid off, with everyone attacking to the end to hold the score to 1-0.

Star player: Georgie Aldridge.