Clifton Robinsons off the mark with home win against Wimbledon
CLIFTON Robinsons approached their second Premier Division league game against newly-promoted Wimbledon with confidence after a competitive game with East Grinstead in their opening match.
The visitors pressed Clifton Robinsons hard throughout the first quarter but the home side managed the pressure well and Wimbledon were unable to score past the ever-dependable Aline de Visser in the home goal.
Clifton Robinsons came out of the blocks in determined fashion in the second quarter of the half and, following a great break down the right, the ball reached Megan Crowson, who calmly finished the move to put the hosts one up. Clifton Robinsons continued to press in open play, with Holly Savage expertly working the left channel to find Claire Thomas in the circle. The captain then set up Catherine Macaulay, who scored to earn Clifton a 2-0 interval lead.
The second half started with some end-to-end hockey, but
despite a number of penalty corners the visitors were unable to score.
In the third quarter, Clifton Robinsons went all out for a third goal with some clever interlinking play from Ellie Laity, Tash Marke-Jones and Kitty Chapple. The Wimbledon goalkeeper made some great saves, but Maria Jones was on hand following another home attack to lob the goalkeeper with a sublime finish into the roof of the net.
Wimbledon continued to push forward with some slick skills on the left and were rewarded for their efforts with a penalty corner which was smashed home from the rebound. There was no further scoring so Clifton Robinsons gained their first win of the season, with Jones deserving of the player of the match accolade after a fine performance which culminated in her scoring the third goal.
Clifton Robinsons have no game on Saturday, with their next match at Swansea next week.
In National Conference West, Clifton Robinsons 2nds got their season off to a winning start with a 4-2 victory against Team Bath. Lily
Webb and Amy Burton were firsthalf scorers for Clifton Robinsons, and Livvy Hoskins scored twice after the interval.
Sutton Coldfield provide the next opposition on Saturday, at Golden Hill Sports Ground (2pm).
In the same division, Firebrands gained the points against Oxford Hawks in a thriller at Failand. The home side were 4-3 winners in their first match on their return to the National League.
Becky Dru scored twice from penalty corners, while Hannah Brooks-Scully scored the third goal after 43 minutes and Amy Homitzky got the winner in the 57th minute after Oxford had equalised minutes earlier.
Firebrands visit University of Birmingham 2nds on Saturday.
University of Bristol men’s side got their season off to a winning start in National Conference West with a 4-0 victory at Khalsa Leamington. Josh Hallett scored two, both from penalty strokes, with Paul Macleod and Christopher White also on target. Chichester are their next opponents, at Coombe Dingle on Sunday.