Amber Valley Hornets beaten by Staveley

It didn’t take long to see why Staveley have been taking point after point in their recent matches as they took an early lead with a shot on the turn that flew into the back of the net.

The Hornets responded well to the early setback and started to make chances of their own.

But they conceded two moe goals to leave them with a massive task ahead as Staveley broke at speed and pulled the Hornets defence this way and that.

Rachael Warner and Tracey Harris soon organised the Hornets marking, whilst Jennie Bowmer in the heart of the Hornets midfield kept the ball moving well and started to use the width of the pitch to bring Alex Ormston and Bev Allan more into the game.

And the Hornets forced more goal scoring opportunities only to be denied by Staveley’s keeper.

Tanya Rouse was busy at the other end making blocks, but once again Staveley were able to extend the score line and take a 4-0 lead into the break.

The second half saw Dawn Spendlove move into the core of the Hornets midfield and, although Staveleys speed on the attack was always going to cause problems, the Hornets wide defenders, Carol Hall and Vicki Wain, on both sides of the pitch started to push forward more.

And it was Wain that smashed the ball into the D to find Charlotte Welsby, who deflected the ball into the net from a tight angle.

The game continued to be end to end and chances for both teams, but some fine tackling and great saves from both goalkeepers kept the score from going up until Staveley’s pressure eventually paid off with a fifth goal.

Sarah Joyce pushed the ball home with the very last touch of the match from close range following some good work in the D by Welsby for a consolation goal.