3rd February 2018
Ladies 3s
Beeston 3s started strong this work, working together really well up the pitch and winning several short corners. Unfortunately, SBU were first to score, but the Bees followed this with a massive team effort up the pitch to get the ball to Olivia Stanley for a great strike to bring the scores level again. The first half finished 2-1 to SBU – the second half was Beeston’s to win. The team were looking determined and an early goal from Fiona Bolland, the Bees were looking good. The SBU defence was also looking strong, denying the Ladies 3s any further goals, keeping the score level at 2-2.
Players of the Match: Olivia Stanley
Final Score: 2-2 Draw
Next Game: Home vs SBU 1 (5pm pushback)
Ladies 4s
With the junior cup games going on this Sunday, the Ladies 4s were grateful for the support offered from all corners of the ladies’ section this weekend, in their fixture against University of Nottingham 2s. Playing top of the league, the Bees knew it was going to be a tough game, but they focused their attentions on defending well and making life as difficult as possible for the students. The Bees were rewarded with plenty of chances of their own in the Uni D, but were unfortunately unable to find the back of the net with any of these. The game finished 7-0, but this isn’t a fair reflection of the hard work from all the Bees in a difficult situation.
Final Score: 7-0 Loss
Next Game: Home vs Boots 3 (9am pushback)
Ladies 5s
This week, the Ladies 5s went into their game on the back of their first wins of the season (a two game winning streak!). The team was very different to that which had secured these victories, in part due to the junior England Hockey cup games, but the girls stepped up and meshed well together! The Bees passed the ball around the pitch, using and creating space well, working the ball closer and closer to the Boots goal. Emma Self produced a fantastic cross into the D, which Heidi Ross-Burton managed to get on end of, steering the ball home into the top of the goal. The team continued to work well together, but gaps were found, resulting in two well worked goals from Boots. Thanks to all the ladies who stepped up to play for the 5s; to Josh Dawson for umpiring; and to Dom Balisat for his coaching and encouragement from the home dug out.
Final Score: 2-1 Loss
Next Game: Away vs Uni of Notts Ladies 3s (2:30pm pushback)
Ladies 6s
Meridian conceded the game. 3-0 win to the Bees!
Next Game: Away vs SBU 3 (1pm pushback)
Ladies 7s
No Game
Next Game: Home vs West Bridgford 4 (10am pushback)
27th Janary 2018
Ladies 3s
A crucial, must win, game for the Ladies 3s this weekend, vs league leaders, Uni of Notts 2. The Bees applied plenty of pressure on the uni team, dominating play throughout the game and eventually resulting in a great goal from a short corner. Sofie TK made some fantastic saves in the Beeston goal to stop the ball crossing the line, helped by Nic Wakeland with another amazing goal line save. In defence, Amy, Fran & Gossy outletted well to Sylvia and Jess, who showed some excellent skill in the middle of the pitch to get the ball into the Uni D, aided by many great leads from the Beeston forwards, who worked very hard. The Bees efforts paid off, with a 3-1 win, leaving them just 2 points behind the university team at the top of the table. Thank you to Nikki, Dani & Jo for your help and to the parents for your much needed support.
Players of the Match: Sylvia Rose & Jess BD
Final Score: 3-1 Win
Ladies 4s
Final Score: 2-0 Loss
Ladies 5s
Game postponed due to waterlogged pitch
Ladies 6s
Saturday:
This weekend, the Ladies 6s travelled to Mansfield to play top of the division, North Notts 3. The Bees knew it would be a tough game, but had reason to be quietly confident after beating North Notts in the first half of the season. Captain Jo Illingworth once again came to the rescue, donning the keeper kit after a late drop out. In typical 6s style, the Bees dominated both possession and territory throughout the game. Unfortunately for the 6s defence, North Notts utilised their centre forward, who made some excellent breaks into the D to take on the stand in keeper. The frustration the Ladies 6s were causing North Notts was evident throughout the game, with disgruntled calls coming regularly from the players in blue, culminating in a green card for one North Notts player, and a second player throwing their stick on the ground after a decision went against them. The Bees created some fantastic chances during the game, keeping their heads and showing resilience and determination for the entirety, but were undone by a short corner in the dying moments of the game, which sealed the win for North Notts.
Player of the Match: Clare McKillop
Final Score: 4-3 Loss
Sunday:
In their second trip to Mansfield of the weekend, North Notts were buoyed by the close game the day before. Whilst the score line on Saturday did not favour the 6s, they had seen enough from North Notts to know that victory was still a very distinct possibility. With some changes in the squad from the day before, the Bees knew who the key players were for North Notts and what they needed to do to neutralise them. Unfortunately for Hannah Foy, this resulted in a very boring game (sorry Foy!) marking the centre forward, who had caused so many issues the day before. Again, the 6s dominated possession and territory, causing problems for the North Notts defence- setting a strong press and defending high up the pitch. A disallowed Beeston goal, spurred the girls on to work harder, knowing that a legitimate goal was surely coming. North Notts made sure this was not an easy task and the Bees didn’t help themselves, missing a flick in the second half. Charlotte Warman redeemed herself, slotting home a cracking goal with 10 minutes to go. The 6s continued to push for a second goal, working on the basis that the best form of defence is attack. A second goal came with less than 5 minutes left on the clock from Rachel Hampson to cement the win and see the Ladies 6s through to the shield final for the third year in a row!
Player of the Match: Charlotte Warman
Final Score: 2-0 Win (Shield Final to be played Sunday 25th March. Your support would be much appreciated!)
Ladies 7s
On Saturday evening, the Ladies 7s took on Worksop 3s. Set against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset, the 7s made Worksop work hard for their win. Defending well as a unit and moving the ball well in attack, the 7s were again unlucky not to come away with a goal for their efforts. An unfortunate green card in the second half for deliberate break down of play (or tripping over a shoelace, depending on who you speak to), completed Vina’s introduction to the Ladies 7s – fortunately she saw the funny side of this incident. As always, the Bees have a lot to be proud of and many positives to take away from the game, and that elusive win is surely coming soon!
Final Score: 4-0 Loss
20th January 2018
Ladies 3s
The 3s had a great game at the weekend, winning 8-1 against Players Ladies 1s. With the pitch quickly freezing over, some fantastic runs were made down the right hand side of the pitch and crossed across goal for the Beeston forwards to capitalise on. With great work from the midfield, the Bees were 4-0 up at half time. The second half was slower than the first, with the 3s switching off a little, allowing Players to score a consolatory goal. However, the 3s continued to score goals of their own. Sarah Brimyard (player of the match) was on fire, scoring half of the Bees total goals.
Player of the Match: Sarah Brimyard
Final Score: 8-1 Win
Ladies 4s
Final Score: 6-0 Loss
Ladies 5s
Final Score: 3-1 Win
Ladies 6s
It was a rocky start for the 6s this weekend with a plethora of unforeseen circumstances impacting the starting line up for their away game against NTU 2s. With a last second drafting of Sue Moore to help save the day the Bees pushed back 15mins later than planned with a strong squad of 11 players. Despite the slippery conditions of the pitch; with several Beeston players finding themselves off their feet multiple times, the 6s kept pressure on the opposition, forcing errors. With NTU pressing high Beeston made the most of breaking through past the half way line driving the ball high into their defending 23, NTU needing to sprint to get back in possession. Despite Beeston’s best efforts, including some stunning defending particularly from goalie Sue Moore, NTU managed to slip 3 goals over the line to make the score 3-0 in favour of NTU at half time. Within 5 mins of the second half whistle and another fall due to pitch conditions, both captains were requested by the umpire to make a decision whether to continue. Initial consultation with the teams provided feedback that Beeston preferred to abandon. However upon discovery that the score line would remain and the game concluded due to time already elapsed Beeston changed their mind, preferring to make the most of the time they had to turn the game around. This change in heart had the required effect to rally Beeston into taking control. Another goal was conceded in the following 5 mins, however with renewed vigour Beeston found the energy to press hard, making the most of breaking the line. Working together to pass the ball around the opposition, Beeston forced a penalty corner which was deftly converted by Emma Self, pushing the ball into the back of the goal following a strike from the D. Buoyed on the success of their first goal Beeston continued to run hard and create opportunities. Success struck again while working the ball around the D, the ball was passed from outside to Heidi Ross-Burton who managed to strike the ball clean on the move into the bottom right corner of the goal. NTU were now rattled having conceded 2 goals in 15 minutes and despite their continued efforts were unable to increase their advantage in the remaining minutes of the game. A tiring and valiant effort made by all with the score line ill-fitting the skill and resilience shown by the Beeston players.
Player of the Match: Heather Sharp
Final Score: 4-2 Loss
Ladies 7s
The 7s went into the game feeling positive and after a bit of a reshuffle of positions before the match everyone settled into the game well, putting together some brilliant pieces of play. A bit of miscommunication at the back led to the Bees conceding an early goal in the first half but they didn’t let that get them down. Drawing level on the stroke of half time with a brilliant shot from Hannah Rosenbaum, the Bees felt like this could be their day to get that first elusive win of the season! The defence had to put in a lot of work in the second half as a result of some brilliant shots from Woodthorpe but the 7s had their fair share of chances off some breaks, unfortunately they just couldn’t find the back of the goal. Woodthorpe were awarded a short corner in the last play of the game which they frustratingly converted to come away with a 2-1 win. The team should, however, take a lot of positives away from the match and keep their heads held high going into the rest of the season.
Final Score: 2-1 Loss
Categories: Beeston Hockey Club
