Saturday 14th November 2009

Ladies 1sts

Opportunity to go top beckoned on Saturday as Aylesbury Ladies 1st XI visited the team at the bottom of division, Maidenhead. In contrast to their solid performances over the past few weeks, a somewhat disjointed display of hockey left the 1st XI feeling fortunate to come away with a 3-3 draw. Goals from Hannah Piggot, Josie Hassall and Tash James helped the team bring home one point.

The 1st XI currently sit on the top spot on goal difference whilst we go to press but key result from 2nd and 3rd position teams is still awaited.

Ladies 2nds

Following their well deserved victory last week, the 2nd XI faced a tough match away from home against Harpenden, who sit just above them in the league and are unbeaten this season.

Captain Kim Yeo fired home the first goal from a standard short corner strike and Aylesbury continued to push forward to increase their lead. Striker Liz Brooks got the second to give Aylesbury the cushion they were looking for but Harpenden came back quickly to make it 2-1. As the mid-table positions would suggest, the game was evenly balanced and Harpenden managed to level the game in the second half. Aylesbury battled hard seeking the third goal but were unlucky only to come home with a point.

Ladies 3rds

The Ladies 3rd XI travelled to Amersham & Chalfont this week with a changed squad, including a number of younger players playing up from the 4th team. From the whistle, Aylesbury commanded the game with some great passing moves. Yet again solid defensive work by Katherine Anley and Kirsty Dean allowed the midfield, Claire Heale on the right and Lynsey Blas on the left, to attack and apply pressure on Amersham & Chalfont. Aylesbury were unlucky not to convert a number of chances and at half-time the score remained 0-0.

As the weather turned in the second half, Aylesbury were fortunate to have the driving wind and rain behind them and continued to push forward. Another run at the defence resulted in a short corner which this time was converted by Simone James who managed to get her stick onto the shot from captain Kelly Marsh, and direct the ball past the keeper. Only during the last ten minutes did the opposition look to trouble Aylesbury but with great defensive work by Player of the Match, Lynsey Blas, the Amersham & Chalfont attacks were thwarted and Aylesbury held onto their deserved 1-0 victory.

The 3rd XI now sit in fifth position and will look to build on this next week when they play City of Oxford who sit towards the bottom of the table. Pushback is at 3.30pm at Meadowcroft.