Lancaster Hockey Club results and reports

Here are the latest match reports for Lancaster Hockey Club.

14th October 2023

Neston 1s 1-2 Lancaster 1s

Lancaster had a rocky start to Saturday morning where travel issues delayed the team’s arrival. Despite the lack of warm up, Lancaster lined up to take on last season’s runners-up Neston.

Both teams started brightly and it was clear from the get go it would be a physical match. Holly Hunter channelled her frustration at being on the receiving end of some strong tackles by driving the ball up the right wing and firing a number of crosses into the D. The Neston GK was alert to deflect away the danger.

Lancaster suffered an injury and green card set back when Libby Thwaites went off injured and Katie Oliver broke up play with a blatant back stick stopping Neston attacking.

Hunter hurried the Neston midfield, forcing them to lose possession. She drove into the D and shot at goal; the first shot was saved but the rebound was smashed home to give Lancaster a 1-0 lead.

Neston rallied their troops and mounted the pressure on the Lancaster defence, shots at goal were saved and cleared away and the penalty corner routines were defended well by Ella Bookless and Jayde Christeansen.

Into the second half Lancaster knew they needed another goal to settle the nerves. Another quick attack down the right-hand side found Julie Walker with space to feed to the ball across to first team debutant Lauren Allwood to tap the ball passed the outstretched goalkeeper into the lefthand corner of the goal, cheering before it crossed the line.

Neston once again mounted their attack and had a breakaway two-on-one against Lancaster goalkeeper Leighan Bleasdale. The Neston player passed the ball back post for what should have been a tap in but Bleasdale dived full stretch on the diagonal and flicked the ball away for Bookless to clear.

Into the last 10 minutes Neston won a number of penalty corners, they converted eventually after a third phase reverse stick shot that was an awkward height for Lancaster to reach. Lancaster had five minutes to see out the game to win the three points.

Lancaster agonisingly gave away another penalty corner. The defence were determined not to concede another goal. The Neston forward received the ball and dragged the ball passed the number one runner and Bleasdale’s left hand but Angie Evans-Hill calmly flicked the ball away that any cricketer would have been proud of!

Team: Lauren Allwood, Leighan Bleasdale (C) (GK), Ella Bookless, Alice Boston, Jayde Christeansen, Angie Evans-Hill, Nina Helme, Holly Hunter, Katie Oliver, Zoe Oswald, Libby Thwaites and Julie Walker

Goal Scorers: Holly Hunter and Lauren Allwood

Sponsor: Sue Bridges Estate and Letting Agents

Ball Sponsor: Hazel Bishop

30th September 2023

Lancaster 1s 2-1 Deeside Ramblers 1

Lancaster 1s welcomed Deeside Ramblers 1s to their first home match of the 2023-2024 season. The team were eager to start despite the soggy conditions!

Lancaster started on the front foot pressuring the Deeside defence earlier on but the visitors were quick to clear their lines.

Deeside had a couple of breaks but the Lancaster defence stayed strong. The Deeside forward attempted to claim a touch in the D from a long ball but goalkeeper Leighan Bleasdale and the umpire was having none of it.

Lancaster broke the deadlock after Holly Hunter drove down the right hand side of the pitch, curving her run towards the D and firing the ball across. The goalkeeper made an initial save but Sarah Kettlewell was alert to the rebound and smashed the ball on the volley to the top left corner of the goal.

Lancaster were spurred on by the supporters and push for a second. Ali Standeven-Johns used her experience and speed to open up space in the middle of the pitch and fed the ball through to Carla Bleasdale who was waiting in the D to calmly slot the ball home. Lancaster took a 2-0 lead into half time.

As expected, Deeside through everything at the Lancaster defence, their opportunity came when the centre forward had a one v one against the goalkeeper, but Leighan Bleasdale sprinted towards the ball and slid towards the ball parrying it away with her right arm.

Jayde Christeansen and Cath Foy made a number of solid tackles to keep the attack at bay and Bleasdale was forced to make a diving save to her right to stop the ball reaching the back post for a tap in. Despite the defensive heroics Deeside worked hard to earn a number of short corners and managed to covert one with 12 minutes to go.

Despite some nerves and shaky play, Lancaster wanted the three points and kept possession in the Deeside half, in the final 2 minutes Lancaster wore down the clock earning a number of short corners until the full time whistle.

Team: Leighan Bleasdale (C) (GK), Carla Bleasdale, Alice Boston, Jayde Christeansen, Cath Foy, Nina Helme, Holly Hunter, Sarah Kettlewell, Katie Oliver, Zoe Oswald, Ali Standeven-Johns, Libby Thwaites and Julie Walker

Goal Scorers: Sarah Kettlewell and Carla Bleasdale

Player of the Match: Holly Hunter

Sponsor: Sue Bridges Estate and Letting Agents

Ball Sponsor: Leeanne Grayston-Aldren

Brookfield 1s 3-2 Lancaster 2s

Lancaster 2s travelled to Bamber Bridge this weekend to take on Brookfield 1s. Brookfield started the faster of the two teams, with the Lancaster defence of Lottie Horner, Molly Chapman, Abi Watson and Amelia Welch called into action straight away. Twenty minutes into the first half Brookfield broke the deadlock by squeezing a ball past the Lancaster GK Rebecca Halliwell, who got a glove to the ball but was unable to keep it out.

At half time Lancaster re-grouped and seven minutes into the second half, Rebecca Airey went on a solo run towards the D. As she crossed into the D she hammered the ball goal wards, as it went through a sea of bodies the Brookfield GK was left with no chance as she saw the ball too late.

Brookfield pushed back and eight minutes later a well worked goal saw the Brookfield forward smash the ball from two metres out into the goal. Brookfield pushed again and five minutes later scored again.

Lancaster pushed back and some great link up play between Lauren Allwood and Ellen Wills saw Liola Walmsley receive the ball at the top of the D before running it in and smashing the ball home, making the score 3-2.

Lancaster continued to push but the final whistle was blown before Lancaster could find the equaliser.

Final score Brookfield 1s (3) v (2) Lancaster 2s

Team: Rebecca Airey, Lauren Allwood, Molly Chapman, Jess Dawson, Rebecca Halliwell (C) (GK), Lottie Horner, Izzy Liver, Emily Verden, Liola Walmsley, Abi Watson, Amelia Welch, Ellen Wills and Emma Wood

Goal Scorers: Rebecca Airey and Liola Walmsley

Player of the Match: Ellen Wills

Ball Sponsor: Leeanne Grayston-Aldren