Late goal denies a victory

ASHBOURNE Ladies Hockey Club were 30 seconds away from a win in Midlands Feeder League East against Loughborough University thirds but had to settle for a 3-3 draw – a point they admitted they would have been happy with before the game.

In a strong start, Ashbourne took the game to their young opponents and scored twice.

The first, from a short corner, saw Becky Handford slip the ball back to Caroline Thompson who smashed it in.

The second was a penalty flick after the Loughborough keeper fouled Handford, who converted confidently.

Loughborough pulled one back before half-time and, after the break, equalised from a well-taken corner deflection.

Ashbourne regained the lead when a good cross from Thompson found Sarah Walker on the penalty spot to shoot home.

In the dying seconds, the ball found two Loughborough players in space and though keeper Helen Williams saved the first shot, the ball was scrambled in from the rebound.

Walker and Williams shared player of the match honours.

Ashbourne’s development team, the thirds, had a good 5-1 win away to Derby fourths. It was 1-1 at half-time after a goal from Ella Bennett but they took over in the second half, as strong runs from Lily Herd and Molly Garrity led to two goals from Eleanor Taylor.

Jaime Platt beat the keeper at close range and Arabella King’s shot wrong-footed the Keeper. Eleanor Taylor, Jaime Platt and Arabella King shared player of the match.