Hockey Clifton Robinsons lose their unbeaten home record in close encounter
CLIFTON Robinsons were back at Coombe Dingle on Saturday looking to build on a pleasing performance against second-placed Wimbledon.
Aileen de Visser’s side were defending an unbeaten home record against visitors Nottingham University who were looking to be the first side to defeat the Clifton Robinsons at home.
The home side started on the front foot pressing the Nottingham defence well, but had little to show for their efforts in the first quarter.
It was not until the second quarter that the game started to open up with the away side having two shots fly past the back post.
The first breakthrough of the game came just before the interval in the 33rd minute when a bully was awarded just outside Clifton’s defensive D.
Nottingham won the bully, being first to the ball which resulted in the ball somehow going through the crowd of players and into the net to give the visitors the lead.
After a much-needed halftime talk from their coach the home side upped their game with a penalty corner win within the first four minutes of the second half.
A finely worked routine saw Emily Drysdale deflect the ball into the bottom corner for her first premier League goal.
The home side then maintained the momentum after their equaliser.
They were unfortunate not to take the lead after a nicely worked attack saw Anna Edwards carry the ball from the half way line to link up with Catherine Macaulay who passed the ball to Phoebe Richards. Her deflected shot was kept out by the visiting keeper.
Both sides continued to strive for the decisive goal and defences needed to be vigilant.
However, it was the visitors who managed to get what proved to be the match-winning goal in the 46th minute and with it end Clifton Robinsons’ unbeaten home record.
Clifton Robinsons are home again on Saturday when bottom side Buckingham visit Coombe Dingle at noon.
In Conference West, Firebrands lost 4-2 against Oxford Hawks, they host Exe/University of Exeter 2nds at Failand this week.
Clifton Robinsons men’s team were denied a share of the points after a ding-dong encounter with table toppers Havant.
The visitors were awarded a penalty stroke three minutes from time to take all the points. Clifton Robinsons’ Ian King said both goalkeepers and defences excelled in the tight encounter. Clifton Robinsons travel to face Isca on Sunday.
In West Premier, Clifton Robinsons 2nds went down 4-2 against Taunton Vale. There are now five teams on 10 points in places 3 to 7 in the table.
In Berkeley Division 2, leaders Thornbury were 10-1 winners against South Glos 2nds, Coz Deas top scored with 5, followed by Sophie Vizard 2, Alice Parsons, Alice Atkinson and a cracker from Ella Clark.
Jess Mundy scored twice for Thornbury 2nds in 2-1 victory against Bristol/West Jaspers 3rds and Thornbury’s newly formed men’s side were 3-1 winners against Old Bristolians development team. Lewis Henderson (2) and Tiger Sherred-Isles scored. The result however will be recorded as a 0-0 draw on England hockey GMS system.