Bella Fisken in action for the Bees. Photo c/o David Kissman
Investec Womens Cup Round 3
Team Bath Buccaneers 0 – 3 Beeston
University of Bath, 6th November.
The historic City of Bath, famed for its Roman hot water springs proved to be anything but a warm relaxing experience, as the torrential rain and northerly wind provided difficult conditions for hockey on Sunday. Despite the challenging conditions, Beeston Ladies won through a hard fought contest to move into the Quarter Finals of the Investec Womens Cup for the first time in three years.
With an U18 fixture on the same day, Beeston took the opportunity to demonstrate their strength in depth, and give some opportunities to those who have been playing well in the Ladies 2nd XI who are currently challenging at the top of the Midlands Premier League.
With a rotated squad it can sometimes be difficult to find the fluency required to exert yourselves on the game, but Beeston coped well and were soon into their stride creating chances and penalty corner opportunities. It was from a penalty corner opportunity that the first goal came, but only after the corner was upgraded to penalty stroke following an infringement. Esme Burge who was recently selected in the England U21 squad for the forthcoming World Cup stepped forward and calmly slotted the ball past the Bath goalkeeper and the visitors had the crucial breakthrough.
While Bath never really threatened Nat Robson in the Beeston goal, at 1-0 the game was still in the balance until a crucial two minutes in the second half. Sophie Robinson the Beeston Captain scored two goals in quick succession which put the game beyond their Somerset opponents and secured Beeston’s place in the Quarter Final.
The Quarter Final will take place on 12th February and the Bees will face Sevenoaks at Nottingham Hockey Centre.
