New-look Nailers are beaten as hockey returns

BELPER Ladies slipped to a 2-1 opening day defeat at home to Gloucester City when National League Women’s Division One hockey started at the weekend

The Nailers welcomed several new players to the club, including promising under-18 player Scarlott Doxey, England under-18 goalkeeper Ella Long and experienced defender Sam Harrison.

Doxey and Long were two of four who made their National League debuts, alongside Hannah Saxton, and Alyssa Smith.

And they started well, scoring a penalty corener drag flick from Doxey in the eighth minute.

They maintained plenty of possession for a time and chances came and went for Saxton and Rosy Stephens but a second goal would not come.

Gloucester absorbed the pressure and, late in the game, turned the tables, scoring twice from penalty corners.

“It was important for us to go a goal up early in the game, and especially good for it to come from a penalty corner from one of our debutants,” said coach Craig Keegan.

“This young Belper team were very competitive for long periods of the game and probably should have gone 2-0 up in the second quarter but we didn’t take advantage of the critical moments.

“In the end we missed a number of our senior players who are out with injuries, who we expect back in the coming weeks.”

Belper’s men had a first day win in Conference North, 5-2 away to Leeds.

Belper Ladies line up for the new season. Back row, from left: Mary Williams, Hannah Saxton, Sam Harrison, Ella Long, Scarlott Doxey, Olivia Schmidt, Ella Bradley, Sally Goodman. Front: Tabby Vaughan, Alyssa Smith, Georgie Furniss, Sophie Aspinall, Kathryn Robey, Rosy Stephens, Hannah Goold.