Aylesbury Ladies 1s beat Bicester 1s

Aylesbury Ladies 1s hadn't started the season well, winning and drawing only one game in Premier 1 of the Trysports Hockey League. The ladies however found their form after the Christmas break following continuous training over this period with their newly appointed coach, Ben Woodford.

Home team, Bicester, started the game at a fast pace and the away side found themselves tested, but the defence were organised with captain, Hannah Pigott and Beth Upton working well together to rid their team of the early danger. Aylesbury began to find their stride as the game progressed with Angela Dickson putting away the first goal after clever play between Player of the Match, Tori Bowles, and Meg Chapple.

As the game progressed Aylesbury began to dominate possession as they attacked Bicester’s defence in numbers. Their efforts paid off when Clemmie Jackson broke from the half way line and slotted the ball past the keeper, putting Aylesbury 2-0 ahead. With only minutes to play in the first half, Ellie Kiely used her pace to attack down the left hand side setting up Jackson with her second goal and third for Aylesbury.

Following the break, Aylesbury came out strong and came close to scoring in the first five minutes of the second half as the central midfielders, Elisa Woodford and Voirrey Holmes skilfully tore through Bicester’s defence, but Aylesbury were unable to get the vital touch as the ball bobbled past the far post.

Minutes later, Sam Shopland-Reed sliced through the right channel to the opposition’s baseline and played the ball across the goal to Emily Penson who clinically put away Aylesbury’s fourth goal. With only 15 minutes to play, Aylesbury’s confidence soared, midfielder Josie Hassall went on the break and was unlucky with her shot from top of the D, only marginally missing the goal.

Despite the momentous task ahead of them, the home side remained hopeful and continued to work hard testing Aylesbury’s defence. Aylesbury’s goalkeeper, Jade Hedger, pulled off a display of acrobatic saves but unfortunately for the away side, Bicester’s persistence paid off as they scored making the final score 4-1.

Aylesbury takes 3 points and climbs to 10th place in the league.

Team: Bowles, Chapple, Dickson, Hassall, Hedger, Holmes, Jackson, Kiely, Penson, Pigott, Shopland-Reed, Upton, Woodford
Coach: Ben Woodford