Banbury Ladies start the weekend’s doubleheader on a high
BHC Ladies 1s - 1, Salisbury Ladies 1s - 0
The visit to Salisbury last November saw Banbury come away on the wrong side of a 5-2 loss, yet they played some good hockey (equal to that of Salisbury), so this was the opportunity to right that wrong and get their season back on track. It was a very tight game, which could have gone either way; defences were on top, and despite Banbury having only 13 players, which was slightly low for a home game (and 4 of those being young ladies still at school – two year 12s, one Year 11 and a Year 10), those playing, played with calm maturity and managed the game excellently. It was a close-fought game, but a fantastic 1-0 win for Banbury against a team, which was sitting 4th in the league.
The Banbury goal was scored by Natasha Roberts. Would tomorrow’s game be equally successful?
MVP– The award goes to our midfield dynamo, Zoe Young
A derby game with the result pivotal to both teams, but Banbury come out on top!
BHC Ladies 1s - 3, Buckingham Ladies 2s - 2
After Buckingham lost to New Forest yesterday, there was a chance that with a win, Banbury could put some daylight between them and their local rivals in the league table. The first game at NOA last September was a very close affair with only one goal, and this game was similarly close but had more action and goals.
Banbury went to Buckingham full of enthusiasm after the great win against Salisbury the day before. The team were 16 in number today, and with that, the opportunity to rotate and keep players fresh and fit throughout the game. It was end-to-end stuff, with both teams having chances, but Banbury took the lead just before halftime after a lovely drag-flick goal from a short corner executed by Jecca Tetley.
Shortly after halftime, Victoria (Pagey) Coombs put Banbury two up, so things were looking good,
but as with games that are this close, and with teams well-matched, things can change, and
Buckingham managed to score 2 themselves making it two all going into the last 10 minutes of the game. Fortunately, Banbury were not finished, and on 61 minutes, from another short corner, Jecca executed another drag flick into the Buckingham goal, and that was how it finished – three two to Banbury.
MVP– The award goes to one of our team of solid defenders - Becca Edwards.
Ladies 1st Team Manager Bryce Wilkinsons says: “Coming off the back of a heavy loss last week, it is a credit to the team that they were able to put that behind them and raise their game for this weeks’ two critical fixtures. They put in a tremendous amount of effort and work during the game on Saturday to grind out a result. And, I think they were still buoyed and on a high from the day before, when they went to Buckingham, where they knew a win was so important. They all knuckled down and played good hard match hockey, and despite not being there to support in person, I am immensely proud of the team and everyone’s performances and application. I hope the team enjoys their success and look forward to the away trip to New Forest next week. A win there would likely make our position in the league safe. Bring it on!!”
Photo: MVP Zoe Young in action
Photo: MVP Becca Edwards in action