Amber Valley Hornets beaten by Derby Hockey Club

The Hornets took an early lead in the match when Sarah Joyce surged into the D and slipped the ball to Charlotte Welsby, who knocked the ball home from close range.

But the lead didn’t last long when Derby equalised with a brilliantly taken shot on the turn that whizzed into the bottom corner of the Hornets net.

It didn’t take too long before Derby took the lead when, despite Rachael Warner making a couple of good blocks in the net, the Hornets defence failed to clear the ball to safety and the ball was eventually pushed over the line.

Derby continued to attack at pace and Tracey Harris and Lynn Creswell were forced to make a number of timely interceptions, while Jennie Bowmer in the heart of midfield used her fine stick skills to make her way into the opponents D.

The Derby defence held firm until Charlotte Welsby broke clear to repay the favour as Joyce knocked the ball home to level the scores.

Both teams started the second half just as the first had finished with quick breaks and some great defensive play.

It was Derby who again took the lead early in the half. The Hornets searched for another goa,l but the Derby defence kept coming up with clinical tackles to halt their progress and when the Hornets did make it into shooting positions the Derby keeper made the saves necessary to keep the score down.

Derby were then able to add a fourth goal to their tally to seal the points.