HEAD coach Alan Gormley says Bromsgrove Hockey Club can now concentrate on the season ahead after two of their sides went up against each other.
For the second time this month, Bromsgrove Ladies Firsts took on the Seconds and once again it was the latter who came up short.
The Firsts claimed victory thanks to goals from Tricky Burton, Stacey Nash and Heather Nunnery and retained the bragging rights after defeating the Seconds 2-0 earlier this month.
Gormley said: “There really wasn’t much between the two teams today.
“I’m sure both teams are glad to get these matches out of the ways that they can now concentrate on the ray of this long season.”
For long periods of the game the two teams nullified each other, but it was the Firsts who took the lead following good work on the left wing by Laura Underwood. She put a great ball in to Burton who fired an unstoppable shot across Rhian Evans.
The Seconds had chances to level as Clare Rippin went narrowly wide before Amelia Kite’s penalty effort was well saved by goalkeeper Ali Powell.
And the Firsts made them pay for it as a move between Nunnerley, Kirsty Gormley and Burton was brilliantly turned home by the diving Nash.
The Seconds reduced the lead when a determined Lisa Smiley forced the ball home and they also came close shortly after that. Lisa Rain deflected the ball towards her own goal and it took a fine save from the leaping Powell to keep it out.
But any fears the Firsts would let victory slip from their grasp were quashed when captain Nunnerley converted a penalty flick.
Meanwhile, Bromsgrove Thirds were held to a goalless draw by Droitwich Firsts courtesy of an impressive showing from goalkeeper Suzy McRitchie.
