Hope to the rescue

Charlotte Hope scored a late equaliser as Marden ladies’ 1sts came from two goals down to draw at King’s & Alleyn’s in the Kent Premier Division. Russets travelled with only 11 players last Saturday but started well in a goalless first half, dominating the opening 10 minutes before King’s fought back and tested the keeper several times. The hosts broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half, volleying the ball in off the post, followed by a second with 15 minutes left. Marden battled back with an outstanding shot from Charlotte Dodds into the top corner. There were five minutes left when Hope made it 2-2 from a penalty corner. Marden defended hard at the end to deny the hosts. The ladies’ 2nds scored a last-gasp winner in a nine-goal thriller against Blackheath. Four times Russets fought back from a goal down before Lisa Scobie gave them a 5- 4 victory. Russets, playing their first Kent Division 4 match since December 3, trailed after 40 seconds but hit straight back with a goal from Thara Brunt. Blackheath regained the lead but back came Russets, Sian Price firing the ball into the bottom left corner. Blackheath went in front for a third time just before the break, only for Lizzie George to level again. Marden began to keep the ball for longer in the second half, making it difficult for Blackheath to find their key players but during a frenzied spell of defending, they conceded a penalty corner and were behind again. George scored her second to make it 4- 4, then three quick passes following a free hit led to Scobie’s winner. Marden are second in the table with two games in hand.