Hockey women land crucial win

ASHBOURNE Hockey Club’s women bounced back from a 6-1 beating on Saturday to record a 3-1 win the following day.

Both games were at home and Sunday’s win, their third of the season, eases relegation fears in Midlands Women’s Division Two North/east.

Saturday’s game against Belper seconds, who have lost only once, was always going to be tough and the visitors dominated the game with strong open passing play, creating chances from the outset.

They scored two early goals and had a third from a penalty flick by half-time.

Ashbourne started the second half strongly using the width of Olivia Andrea and Ella Bennett to cause Belper a few problems.

And the hard work paid off when Bennett crossed to Becky Handford, who drilled the ball across the D for Eleanor Tyler to shoot.

That effort rebounded and Rachel Bailey reached it first to score.

Belper maintained their attacking play and despite an excellent player of the match performance from goalkeeper Louise Cook, the Nailers added three more goals.

Sitting in the bottom two, Ashbourne viewed Sunday’s game against North Stafford, they were behind only on goal difference, as a must-win.

They came out of the blocks quickly and scored within five minutes from a move deep in midfield, with Becci Dalton finding Bennett.

Her cross allowed Andrea to set up Handford to slot the ball past the keeper.

The defensive line-up of Kath Brown, Lisa Lilley, Helen Williams and Hannah Caton dealt with the open attacking play from Stafford and Ashbourne added to their lead with a composed flick over the advancing keeper by Sarah Walker.

It was 2-0 at half-time and Ashbourne then repelled pressure from Stafford, with keeper Kathryn Snow making make numerous saves.

Handford added a third goal after a Di Brown run down the left opened up a space for a well-taken strike.

Stafford got a consolation goal from a penalty corner after Caton had made two midair saves on the line.

It had been a hard fought and competitive game but victory has taken Ashbourne out of the relegation zone.

Ashbourne’s first team, back row, from left: Hannah Caton, Susan Reeves, Kath Brown, Becky Handford, Sarah Walker, Eleanor Tyler, Di Brown, Helen Williams. Front: Olivia Andrea, Ella Bennett, Louise Cook, Rachel Bailey, Lisa Lilley.