Windsor Ladies 2nds enjoy dream start to the new year

League leaders Windsor Ladies 1sts enjoyed a dream start to the new year as they beat Newbury and Thatcham Ladies 2nds 3-0 in a thrilling match.

The result keeps the side on top of Trysports Division 1 and on course for promotion, with four points now the gap to their closest rivals Milton Keynes Ladies 2nds, although they do have a game in hand.

Newbury and Thatcham started strongly and took the game to their hosts in the opening stages.

Windsor looked a little sluggish following the Christmas break and the sides went off goalless at the break. The half-time breather seemed to aid Windsor, however, and with clear heads they took the game to Newbury after the interval.

Captain Freya Hayter was instrumental in the side’s breakthrough, slaloming into the D before seeing her shot parried by the keeper.

Fortunately Lucy Smith was in the right place to slam home the rebound.

Minutes later Helen Edwards collected a pass from Hayter and slammed the ball home. Windsor began to open their visitors up in the closing stages and Emily Owen opened her account following her return from injury with a strike to the keeper’s left.

On Saturday they travel to mid-table Amersham & Chalfont.

Windsor Ladies 2nds failed to hold on to the lead given to them by Emma Thatcher as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Henley Ladies 3rds in Division 3. The visitors took the lead from a well executed short corner, but a spirited Henley side pegged them back from a short corner of their own in the second half. On Saturday Windsor host Bicester Ladies 2nds.

Windsor Men’s 1st team quickly found their stride in the first game of the new year, beating Tring Men’s 1sts 5-2 away. Five players were on the scoresheet for the visitors with Marcus BarrowMarquez, Will Biff, Martyn Essary, Mindaugas Spalgenas and Sean Wright ensuring victory.

They’ll host Oxford Hawks 4ths tomorrow (Saturday).

In Division 6 the men’s 3rds were beaten 5-2 away by Ashford Men’s 3rds and will host the Maidenhead Magicians tomorrow (Saturday).

The 2nds will play their first match of 2020 at Wallingford Men’s 3s in Division 5.