BROMSGROVE Ladies Firsts maintained the 100 per cent season with a narrow victory over local rivals Redditch Firsts.
After being crowned Worcestershire Hockey League Division One champions last week, the Ladies made it 15 wins out of 15 with one game to go thanks to goals from Laura Underhill and Eadie Joe.
In a closely contested game, it was Redditch who started the brighter and managed to take the lead when they capitalised on Bromsgrove’s inability to clear on four occasions.
Going 1-0 down spurred Bromsgrove into gear and a breakaway run from Stacey Nash led to Underhill levelling after firing home at the near post.
Bromsgrove continued to assert their dominance and Joe bagged her second goal in consecutive weeks to nose her side in front.
Despite have the one-goal advantage, Bromsgrove failed to create any clear-cut chances as Redditch tried to force their way back into the game.
Following the interval, Bromsgrove had total control of the half but Heather Nunnerley, Tricky Burton and Underhill all wasted chances to increase the advantage.
Redditch provided a late onslaught and a superb flying save from Bromsgrove’s Ali Powell kept the scores as 2-1 and maintain their 100 per cent record.
Bromsgrove coach Alan Gormley said: “We didn’t play well enough in the last third. I was worried that after the high of last week the girls would lack the same desire as usual.
“So it transpired. In the end though, despite a below par performance, they came away with three more points.”
In the same division, Bromsgrove Seconds enjoyed a 4-3 victory over Harborne Fourths to keep up their hopes of survival.
Lisa smiley fired Bromsgrove into an early 3-0 lead but Harborne fought back and levelled the scores just after half time.
With time running out, Vicky Powell scored the winner for Bromsgrove with a delightful reverse stick flick.
Elsewhere, in Division Three, Bromsgrove Fourths cemented their position at the top with a 4-0 victory over neighbours Droitwich Spa Seconds.
Two goals from Sarah Cooper and one each for Sarah Gormley and Martha Clifford secured the routine win for the league leaders.
