Ravens banish blues with hard-won victory

HOCKEY

them through the middle.

And from a second short corner, the Ravens had a feather in their cap on the back of a lead goal.

A dainty pirouette from young gun Timothy Hodges resulted in Paul Jones taking a pop at goal – and his aim proved true.

His goal separated the sides during the interval and on the resumption more was seen of Andy Schofield, Hodges and man for all seasons David Knight.

Knight buckled the goalkeeper’s pads with one scorching effort ahead of Bridgend doubling the lead.

Knight slipped the ball to Rhys Owen and Jones didn’t turn down another scoring opportunity, finishing with aplomb.

That goal left Lansdown with it all to find and the game was all up for them when Bridgend enhanced their lead.

Knight fed Rhys Owen whose shot pinged past the goalkeeper’s head to confirm a third league win of the season.

Though Lansdown rallied and got a consolation goal, home goalkeeper Adam Hawas ensured there were no further mishaps.

And after the Cirencester demolition, Bridgend seem to have constructed a more solid base.

This will now be put to the test away to Cardiff University in the league this Saturday.

They have two other fixtures ahead of the Christmas halfway break – home to Cheltenham B on Saturday week and Leominster away (December 10).

But while Bridgend got back on track, the success story of the season, Bridgend A, were held 2-2 away to Cardiff Met in De Cymru One.

In one of their least impressive performances of the season, secondplaced Bridgend lost further ground on Cardiff University B, who have a two-point advantage over the Ravens.

Bridgend A will look to maintain contact on Saturday at home to Cardiff Medics A while a week later they visit Swansea University B.

Their final outing before Christmas is on December 10 against visiting Penarth A.

Bridgend Thirds resume fixtures on Saturday in De Cymru Two at home to Llanishen & Caerphilly.

Bridgend B have won just two of six league matches this term, and their final pre-Christmas engagement is on Saturday week away to Whitchurch F.

On the Ladies scene, Bridgend crashed to a 5-0 defeat away to Swansea University in South Wales Women’s League Premier Two.

In another below par showing from the lowflying Ravens, they failed to improve on a record showing just one victory.

Next up on Saturday is a home league match with Cardiff University Medics.

Bridgend Ladies Seconds lost four key players to the first team, and went down to an 11-0 defeat against Llantrisant & Llantwit.

Though the weakened Raven Chicks were chirpy throughout, the big Llan & Llan guns blasted them to victory.

This Saturday, Bridgend Seconds are home to fellow strugglers Cardiff & Met Fourths with both sides scrapping for points to avoid the wooden spoon.