Second-half goal enough to dispose of Baileans firsts

Birmingham Uni 1

Matlock fell to a narrow defeat against Birmingham seconds on Saturday.

After such a good run of form a fixture against a strong Birmingham side did not phase Matlock.

The team started well with the defence making a number of strong tackles and settling down to the pace of the game well.

Matlock forced some early opportunities with some crisp passing from defence to attack forcing a number of penalty corners, but were unable to capitalise.

As the first half progressed Birmingham were able to create one or two opportunities, but again the defence were able to break down these chances, with Rachel Moor making several sharp interceptions and the other members of the defence forcing the errors from the Birmingham strike force.

Goalkeeper Alison Milliard also made a couple of excellent saves.

Matlock continued to grow in confidence and some excellent spells of passing allowed a quickly taken free hit from Rachel Moor to find Sarah Archer who in turn fed the ball into the circle to Sarah Wain, but her shot was well saved by the keeper.

At half-time Matlock’s spirits were high at the prospect of getting three points out of this important match.

The ladies continued as they left off into the second-half with player of the match Laura Donaldson making several key interceptions and covering every inch of the pitch putting pressure onto the Birmingham team.

It was Birmingham though who broke the deadlock, forcing a penalty corner and converting the opportunity with a well-practised deflection finding the roof of the net.

With only ten minutes to go Matlock pushed forwards again trying to force the late equaliser, both Archer and Wain seeing the Birmingham keeper making a succession of excellent saves to keep the score at 1-0.

This was an excellent performance by Matlock, playing some very good hockey but unfortunately failing to convert any chances.

The ladies travel to North Staffs this weekend for a must-win fixture.

Matlock 5ths 1 Belper 4ths 1

Matlock’s fifth team earned a 1-1 draw with local rivals Belper in this friendly fixture.

In an even first-half, Matlock scored the first goal of the game after a lovely sequence of moves saw Janice Bush connect with a long ball from the midfield. She passed the ball to player of the match Evie Donnelly who was rapidly approaching the Belper D, and she dodged the defenders and slotted the ball into the goal.

The lead didn’t last long as Belper soon squeezed in an equaliser past keeper Claire Mosley, and despite dominating the latter stages Matlock couldn’t find a winner.