M+A Partners Norfolk Hockey League

Division 3

Saturday 26^th September 2009

Breckland vs Dereham 4’s

This was the first league game for the young Dereham team this season and their opposition was unknown to them as they had come down from Division 2. Breckland were going to be a tough team to play and the youngsters found this out from the start.

Dereham found themselves under pressure for the first 15 minutes but then began to move the ball up the field and had a few flurries into the Breckland circle. Hannah Barnard and Hannah Dewing linked up well on the right hand side and their speed counted against the experienced Breckland defence. Breckland counter-attacked on many occasions and won several short corners which put the Dereham defence under pressure. Emma Milton stopped many a hit from the penalty corners with her fast running at the striker and Sam Colman and Chloe Cushion-Swales cleared the ball to safety. The game was evenly matched as the half time whistle blew.

The second half was a repeat of the first with play swinging from one end to the other and each team having scoring opportunities. Half way through this period, Dereham began to find a little more space and build up attacking opportunities. Beth Redpath and Neola Bush worked hard on the left had side and began to out run their markers. Dereham still had lots of defensive work to do and Liz Tarry in goal had her work cut to keep a clean sheet. Grace Rollo made some important tackles and Fran Leverett made a crucial clearance from the line. With less than ten minutes to play, Dewing sustained an injury to her face which necessitated a substitution on the right wing. Becca Smith-Ames, partnering Immi Crookes, worked their way up the right hand side and a cracking cross from Smith-Ames struck the goal post, and the loose ball was pushed over the line for a goal by Jackie Taylor. The last 5 minutes was frenetic with Breckland keen to even up the score, but Dereham kept possession and were relieved when the final whistle blew.

Breckland 0 Dereham 1.

Man of the Match: Hannah Barnard

Squad: Hannah Barnard, Neola Bush, Sam Colman, Immi Crookes, Chloe Cushion-Swales, Hannah Dewing, Fran Leverett, Emma Milton, Beth Redpath, Grace Rollo, Becca Smith-Ames, Liz Tarry, Jackie Taylor