Hockey Clifton Robinsons denied league victory by late Wimbledon strike
AFTER a strong start to the season’s campaign, Clifton Robinson have suffered some setbacks with just one win in their last five matches.
Their latest opponents, Wimbledon, went into the game as the only unbeaten team in the league, and with the added advantage of playing at home, it meant Clifton Robinsons would need to raise their game to achieve a result. The stage was set for an exciting encounter.
A tight first half saw both sides equally matched sharing an array of good chances kept out by two strong defensive units.
It was Clifton Robinsons who broke the deadlock when some well-executed passing exchanges down the left led to a penalty corner in the 29th minute, which for the second time this season saw Katrin Gierak strike the ball from the top of the circle leaving the Wimbledon goalkeeper no chance of saving.
The second half saw a refreshed and determined Wimbledon side equalise within a minute of the restart.
Clifton Robinsons responded well with a surging run from ex Wimbledon player SJ Thorburn for a reverse shot which was just saved. As Clifton continued to pile the pressure on, they were rewarded with a second penalty corner in the 42nd minute from which Holly Munro scored with a near-replica of her side’s first goal.
Wimbledon stepped up the pressure with a flurry of purposeful attacks testing the away side’s defensive unit, and a player-of-thematch performance by Ash Main
waring ensured the away side stood firm. Unfortunately, with eight minutes to go, Wimbledon found the equaliser when some outstanding individual skill saw Flora Peel bag her brace with a reverse shot from the top of the circle.
Clifton Robinsons’ next game is against University of Nottingham at Coombe Dingle on Saturday (noon).
A goal from Lewis Francruz on his National League debut gave Clifton Robinsons the lead at Cardiff Met University on Sunday . The home side, however, managed to score twice to take the points. Havant provide the next opposition on Sunday at Clifton College (2pm).
Clifton Robinsons 2nds earned a deserved draw with secondplaced Cheltenham in West Premier. Chris Tidy held his nerve to convert a last-minute penalty stroke to earn the side a 2/2 draw. Rory Thorburn scored the other goal.
Clifton Robinsons Under-12s captain Jonty Grindall and his side were crowned Avon in2 hockey champions, while the club’s Under10s were also victorious. Clifton Robinsons Under-12 girls have also qualified for the regional finals after finishing runners-up.
In West Women’s Berkeley division Two, Thornbury were 3-0 winners against Badminton/ Pucklechurch. Cos Deas (2) and Esther Jenkinson scored.
Thornbury 2nds lost 5-1 against Westberries 5ths, with Beth Hunt their scorer. Connor Matthews scored for Thornbury men in a 3-1 defeat to Westbury/Utd Banks 3rds.