Cup victory for Town Ladies

LOUGH STUDENTS 4TH XI 2 LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN LADIES 1ST XI 4

FRESH OFF a 7-0 win on Saturday, Loughborough Town turned their sights to their second game of the weekend – Loughborough Students 4s in the first round of the England Hockey Championship Cup.

Town started steadily but it was the sprightly Students who came out of the blocks quickest, placing Town’s defence under pressure. However, the Students’ willingness to throw players into attack left them vulnerable in defence and before long a strong drive from Emily Hill earnt Town their first short corner.

A smart zig-zag routine between Hill and Gee Godfrey on the corner saw Godfrey slot calmly past the post player and keeper to give Town the 1-0 lead. Undeterred, Loughborough Students continued to attack the Town goal with intent and before long they had won themselves a short corner. Town’s defenders kept out the first, but after six consecutive short corners, the Students managed to slot the ball home to level the scores.

Having lost their advantage, Town picked up their game – some hard work in the midfield from Annie Piper and Abi Jewkes putting real pressure on the opposition. Before long Town’s persistence earnt them another short corner; captain Shana Featonby injected the ball to Piper who took out the first defender before slotting the ball back to Featonby who smashed it past the keeper – her now trademark goal.

Town were hungry for more as the Students became visibly frustrated. Emma Calvert created some stunning drives up the wing and after several near misses found Annie Piper in the Students’ D who fired home Town’s third. Still there was more to come before half time, with a similar run from Calvert finding Hill whose shot was deflected high in the air by a defender, only to be turned in at the far post above head height Sophie Bea Wylde – a fitting reward for her tireless running in midfield.

Being 4-1 up at the break, Town were prepared for an onslaught of attack from the Students as they fought to remain in the cup. Pinned into their half for long periods, there were fine defensive performances across the team as Town denied, again and again, the Students’ attempts on goal.

Centre-back Claire Howard impressed again and Sarah Kelly and Holly Clark worked hard to cut out attacks down the wings. Town did manage some counter-attacks but the goals were not falling as they had in the first half. A short corner strike from Abi Jewkes could not find the goal and Rachael Taylor put the ball agonisingly wide on another. After 20 minutes of holding the score, the Students pounced on a loose ball in the D and scored their second of the game.

With just 15 minutes remaining, the pressure was on Town; keeper Harriet Galpin producing some top draw saves to frustrate the Students’ efforts.