Hockey

BAC 2nds 3 Thornbury 2

HOME side BAC seconds were quicker into their stride against a Thornbury side fresh from a convincing victory the previous week.

Indeed, on a damp miserable morning, BAC scored two quick goals to take control.

Thornbury, however, slowly regrouped with Izzy Hunter, Megan Allen and Rosie Liddington coming to the fore.

Jess Taylor and Megan McLachlan combined effectively with Alex Arnold to gain a short corner from which Thornbury reduced the BAC lead.

Captain Nicky Bruce hammered the ball home past a defenceless keeper.

Anna Prince and Lou Lou Taylor combined well down the right flank which resulted in Molly Smith scoring a deserved equaliser when she took the ball into the circle and beat the keeper from a narrow angle.

Thornbury managed to create a couple of other chances but it was the home side who scored what proved to be the decisive goal when a defensive hit out went straight to a home player who gratefully accepted the gift and scrambled the ball past keeper Sara Newman.

The second half saw both sides creating the odd opportunity but Thornbury continually held onto the ball too long when a quick pass to an unmarked teammate would have been better or else hit the ball to a grateful opponent.

Spectators watching could not believe that this was the same side that performed so well the previous week.

Lou Lou Taylor and Elaine Arnold made a couple of timely clearances.

Bruce’s side host leaders Pucklechurch at Castle School on Saturday 10.30am

Thornbury 2nd 0 Clifton Robinsons 5ths 7

THE YOUNG visitors gained revenge for their earlier defeat with a convincing victory against a home side depleted by illness.

Late withdrawals meant Thornbury played with just ten players which, in itself, was a big handicap to overcome.

The returning Rachel Underwood, Holly Gardner and Amy Morse needed all their experience to deal with the visiting attacks and all three strove tirelessly throughout the game.

The scorers in last week’s pleasing victory Lauren Lever, Megan Grigg and Lily Wolter, despite coming close were unable to grab a goal for Sarah Brealey’s side. Libby Keel and Ffion Harper combined effectively for Thornbury.