Wotton travelled to Lansdown full of confidence after taking maximum points from their first three games with no goals conceded, but were narrowly beaten by the top of the table side.

The game started at a quick pace, with Lansdown having a lot of possession as Wotton struggled to come to terms with the uneven pitch.

Wotton’s defence of Patteson, Cruickshank, Shackleford and Curtis held firm, and Wotton started to get back into the match with strong running down the right from Curtis and Price, and high work rate from Grey and Meakin in the middle.

Lansdown took the lead five minutes before half-time after a good finish at the near post.

Wotton started the second half second best, and were soon 2-0 down after a penalty corner from the Lansdown drag flick specialist.

Going 2-0 down seemed to galvanise Wotton, and with much better possession they pulled a goal back via the returning Andy Stockley, and came close to an equaliser through Stockley again and later on Chris Price.

The match could have gone either way, with the home team coming out on top.

Wotton will still be happy with their three wins from four games and will look to bounce back against Cardiff this week.

Hereford & Gloucestershire Division One Wotton-under-Edge II 1 Lydney II 1

After a valiant battle against joint leaders Newent the previous week, Wotton were disappointed to come away with only a point in a strangely muted and below par performance last Saturday.

Wotton’s greater experience showed in the opening exchanges but opportunities to score were missed at regular intervals. As Wotton tried to impose themselves, misguided attempts to play long balls to the forwards played into Lydney’s hands and the hosts began to lose their way.

Lydney took the lead from a rare foray into the Wotton 25, and thereafter the hosts were chasing the game. A superb piece of skill down the left and into the D saw Ed Sonnex’s third goal in two games bring the teams level before half-time.

Wotton had plenty of opportunity to claim all three points in the second period but their penalty corner routine failed to fire.

Instead of pushing for the win, the blues were forced to shut up shop and hang on for the draw when skipper Bruce Dunham was sent to the sin bin for the last five minutes.

West Womens Hockey League Severn Division Two Wotton-under-Edge 2 Gloucester City IV 0

Wotton made it three wins from three in the league and went two points clear at the top of the table with this comprehensive win over Gloucester City.

Aided by great support from the sidelines, Wotton immediately dominated the game and put pressure on City’s D, but spurned several chances to take the lead.

City responded with some strong attacks but Wotton’s defence was solid.

After several unconverted penalty corners, Emma Robertson’s powerful strike saw the Blues take the lead.

Gloucester came back more determined in the second period but player of the match Myra Patterson led the Wotton back line in repelling the visitors - complemented by tenacious tackling from Sharon Bates.

Robertson had another shot blocked by a Gloucester foot and the resulting penalty corner was converted into a deserved second goal.

This was a physical match highlighting Wotton’s continual improvement.