East Women Hockey League

From the first whistle Magpies were pressed back into their D with City attacking from both sides, but the Magpies defence held strong to try to get a foot in the match, sticking with their new shape from recent weeks and playing positive passing hockey.

However, City weren’t third in the table for no reason, and they went a goal up, scoring from close range after 15 minutes. A tap in shortly after doubled the home side’s lead. Magpies kept their shape, and tried to make ground into City’s defensive third, but couldn’t find the final ball. City grabbed a third goal close to half time to go into the break 3-0 up.

Magpies started the second half better, getting into the D and tried to create something and did manage to win two short corners, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Ellie O’Sullivan in the Magpies goal made two sharp saves early on in the half to keep the score down, but it wasn’t long before City added a fourth to their tally. Magpies continued to fight, and a quality through ball to Laura Schultheiss saw the forward hit the post with the rebound falling kindly to City. The home side scored twice more before the final whistle, the scoreline somewhat taking away from Magpies continued improved performances.

Special mention must go to Magpies goalkeeper Ellie O’Sullivan for her tremendous saves throughout, earning her the player of the match award, and to the defence of Gina Scott, Emma Tolhurst and Vicky Blackmore for their disciplined performances. And finally, to Treacle Griffin who commanded the match from the back in her role as sweeper who unfortunately had to go off near the end with a worrying wrist injury.

Heads up for next week against Lowestoft.