COACH Alan Gormley praised his ‘magnificent’ players as Bromsgrove Hockey Club’s Ladies Firsts recovered from a slow start to defeat Bournville Firsts 4-0.
Returning to action after a month’s break it took Bromsgrove a while to rediscover their goal scoring touch, but when they did they were devastating.
Vic Longmore bagged a brace while Heather Nunnerley and Caroline Baker also got on the scoresheet in the second period to rack up an impressive victory.
“This was another fine performance” Gormley said.
“After such a long layoff it took the girls a while to find their rhythm but when they did they were magnificent.
“The two open play goals were really brilliant and our overall play leaves us in a fine position to face second place Harborne this coming Saturday.”
Bromsgrove’s incisive passing caused Bournville all kinds of problems with Lily Alsop and Katy Masters combining well down the right and Longmore and Tricky Burton running the channels well.
However, they failed to convert this pressure into goals and Bournville gradually began to take a foothold in the game.
The half-time interval seemed to come at the right time for Bromsgrove as they came out firing, with Nunnerley converting a penalty flick.
This opened the floodgates as Bromsgrove got back into their rhythm and added a second when defender Kirsty Gormley won the ball in her own area. After receiving it, Burton then set off on a mazy run covering half the pitch before she released a fabulous pass into the path of Longmore who had made a great run. She took the ball in her stride, rounded the advancing goalkeeper and slotted the ball home.
A third soon followed when Nunnerley and Laura Underhill constructed a fine penalty corner move. Underhill’s pass was turned home on the far post by Baker, which was her first goal for the club.
Bromsgrove continued to dominate and it was no surprise when they made it 4-0. Underhill, switching into left midfield, sent a superb pass up field to Longmore who beat three defenders and lifted the ball into the goal.
Elsewhere, a hat-trick from Clare Rippin guided Bromsgrove Ladies Thirds to a 3-0 victory over Worcester Fourths. Rachael Colclough got on the scoresheet, but the Fourths drew Droitwich Seconds 1-1, while the Seconds were defeated 2-0 by a strong Stourport Thirds side.
