Bromsgrove Ladies crowned champions - The Bromsgrove Standard

Bromsgrove Ladies crowned champions

Bromsgrove Editorial 8th Mar, 2016 Updated: 17th Oct, 2016   0

BROMSGROVE Ladies Firsts have been crowned champions of the Worcestershire Hockey League following their 2-1 victory over Harborne Thirds.

Despite going 1-0 down, late goals from Laura Underhill and Jo Eddy ensured Bromsgrove made it 14 wins out of 14, clinching the title in the process with two games remaining.

Bromsgrove started the game tentatively, knowing victory would guarantee promotion to the Midlands League structure and this showed as from a quick Harborne break, they converted a penalty corner to make it 1-0.

Bromsgrove continued to struggle to find their rhythm but as the half-time break approached, they stepped up their game as Underhill and Stacey Nash went close to levelling the game.




After the break, it was all one-way traffic as Bromsgrove piled on the pressure but further chances from Kirsty Gormley and Lily Alsop went a begging.

And with time running out, it looked as though Bromsgrove were set to drop their first points of the season.


However, after Alsop and Nash swapped wings, they finally found the equaliser with less than seven minutes remaining as Underhill unleashed a magnificent reverse strike into the net after cutting inside from the right.

This boosted Bromsgrove’s spirits and with just three minutes left on the clock, they went in front after Eddy fired through a packed goalmouth into the net from a penalty corner.

Despite a late Harborne onslaught, Bromsgrove held on for the win to gain promotion for only the second time in the club’s history.

Bromsgrove coach Alan Gormeley said: “The girls were so tense before the game that they needed an early goal to settle. Unfortunately they went behind instead.

“To their eternal credit they battled their way through and despite missing lots of scoring opportunities they kept plugging away and got the result their determination deserved.

“This typified the team spirit demonstrated throughout the season. The final whistle saw a mixture of relief and joy at the realisation of what they have achieved.

“To win fourteen games in a row is an amazing achievement and I am immensely proud of them.”

At the bottom end of the table, Bromsgrove’s Seconds earned three invaluable points from a great 2-0 win at Bournville Ladies Firsts.

Lisa Smiley put Bromsgrove 1-0 up inside the minute with a fierce cross shot before she added the second midway through the second half from a penalty corner.

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