Ladies 1s v Holcombe 2s

Match Report - Ladies 1s v. Holcombe, 19.10.13

Brentwood 2 - 1 Holcombe

Gazette photos: http://www.brentwoodgazette.co.uk/pictures/Brentwood-Ladies-Hockey-v-Holcombe-Ladies/pictures-19969670-detail/pictures.html
Gazette report: http://www.brentwoodgazette.co.uk/Brentwood-Ladies-perfectly-placed-successful/story-19974197-detail/story.html

Brentwood hosted Holcombe on Saturday in a crucial top of the table clash. With both teams undefeated so far it was always going to be a hard, close match. Right from the first whistle the game was played at a fast pace with both teams playing flowing hockey across all areas of the pitch, with midfield battles that kept the spectators entertained. Brentwood edged possession in the opening twenty minutes and created a number of chances but were unable to convert. Following some loose play by Brentwood it was Holcombe who opened the scoring from a penalty corner. The initial deflected shot was saved on the line by player of the match Ruth Tilsley but she was powerless to prevent the follow-up shot from the sharp Holcombe forward.

Brentwood remained calm and settled back onto the ball and their patience paid off when a flowing move down the right found Lisa Payne unmarked in the circle, who quickly turned and won Brentwood a penalty corner of their own. The straight strike was dispatched into the corner of the goal with an unstoppable shot by Lauren Slater bringing the scores level.

Almost immediately Brentwood found themselves taking the lead when a quick move out of defence on the left found Lauren who made an inch perfect pass down the middle of the pitch into the path of Charlotte Holt who's run caught the Holcombe defence sleeping. Charlotte's misplayed pass then brilliantly foxed the advancing goalkeeper and rolled into the goal. Her colleagues and the spectators were also foxed as it looked like she meant finish it in the way that she did but her honesty earned her the DOD award!! Anway, the pass-come-shot meant that the score was 2-1 to the home team at half time.

The second half was a much more cagey affair as Holcombe pressed hard for the equaliser and Brentwood trying to hit on the break. Brentwood found themselves a player down mid way through the second half when a deflected ball flew up in the circle and caught Natalie Gilder on the head. Fortunately Sandy was on had to mop up the blood and patch Nat up with some expert steri-stripping but Nat was unable to play the rest of the game. After the lengthy delay it was Holcombe who immediately took the initiative putting Brentwood under sustained pressure. However, the team rallied and all 11 home players worked hard to ensure that Holcombe weren't able to find the equaliser and Brentwood held out for the well earned victory. Brentwood Ladies 1st team travel away next week to Southend.