Bourne Deeping Hockey Club round-up
Bourne Deeping Ladies produced a commanding performance in their eight-goal victory at Pelicans 2nds in Saturday's East League Division 3NW match.
The first half kicked off with intensity as Norah Brill stamped her authority with a solid strike, putting Bourne Deeping in the lead early on.
Pelicans fought valiantly to regain control, but Bourne Deeping's resilience shone through as they capitalised on a well-worked short corner, expertly converted by Libby Moore.
As the half progressed, Bourne Deeping continued to dominate, with Becky Waters showcasing her prowess with a reverse strike, adding to the tally.
Warters then demonstrated her leadership with a team pressure goal, further solidifying Bourne Deeping's advantage.
In midfield, Bourne Deeping maintained their stronghold with a combination of tenacity and precision.
Led by the influential Warters, Brill, Jose Criddle and Vicky Mumby, the midfielders orchestrated attacks and thwarted Pelicans' advances with astute interceptions and well-timed tackles.
Their ability to control the tempo of the game provided Bourne Deeping with a vital edge, allowing them to dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities.
The defensive trio of Nadine Curtis, Rachel Portlock and Caroline Geddes formed an impenetrable barrier, thwarting Pelicans' attempts to launch counterattacks.
Behind them, goalkeeper Eliana Russo displayed remarkable reflexes, ensuring Bourne Deeping's lead remained intact.
The second half commenced with Bourne Deeping maintaining their relentless momentum.
Flo Dexter displayed her finesse by passing in a goal, setting the stage for a flurry of strikes.
Alessia Russo emerged as a force to be reckoned with, netting two quick goals within minutes of each other, showcasing her clinical finishing.
Annabel joined the scoring spree with a well-timed strike, adding to Pelicans' woes.
The highlight of the match came when Russo completed her hat-trick, further cementing Bourne Deeping's dominance.
Throughout the game, Dexter's exceptional performance stood out, earning her the well-deserved title of player of the match.
Her tireless efforts, strategic passes, and crucial goal contribution were instrumental in Bourne Deeping's victory.
The ladies second team have had a solid season back in Division 4NW and this was emphasised in their 4-2 home loss to table-topping Cambridge City 4ths.
One of the most pleasing aspects of which has been the development of their youth players.
Welcoming back captain Lara Shell after injury, the early pressure was all Cambridge and they opened the scoring midway through the half with their 98th goal of the season.
However, if they expected the Dragons to crumble, they were to be disappointed.
The Dragons youngsters have not just developed their skill set, but there has been a mentality shift throughout the season.
Daisy Hakim and Eve Burgess up front, harried and harassed the Cambridge back line, making a defence that had conceded only 27 goals all year look panicky and flustered at times, forced into errors and turnovers.
One such turnover led to another young gun Sophia Nunziata one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
At the start of the season these chances were often snatched at and wasted, but Nunziata showed great composure to coolly slip the ball past the Cambridge keeper for 1-1.
Cambridge responded and the Dragons back line had to dig in and concentrate.
Isabel Havemann-Bowser and Alice Barratt were constantly alert to snuff out danger, alongside Isia Jasinska who was again imperious at centre back.
Cambridge did retake the lead before half-time with a disputed penalty flick after a defender played the ball onto her own foot on the line.
Cambridge looked relieved if anything, but the Dragons had certainly let them know they were in a match.
The Dragons fully expected Cambridge to step it up in the second half, and step it up they did, but the Bourne Deeping matched them stride for stride despite being penned back in their own half for long periods.
Holly Potts and Millie Durrands ran themselves ragged in the centre of midfield, tracking runners and intercepting passes, looking to launch counter attacks whenever they could.
However, eventually the constant pressure told - 2-1 became 3-1 and then 4-1.
Yet, just as Cambridge looked to take their foot off the gas, Burgess, having a firecracker of a game out on the right, burst free and drove to goal. Her cross was met by none other than Nunziata who once again provided the coolest of finishes to make it 4-2.
A loss but a memorable performance that shows how far this group has come so far and how far it could go in the future.
Bourne Deeping men's first team were resounding 9-1 winners in their Division 2NW match against Cambridge City 4ths.
The match got off to a blistering start with an early goal from Joseph Moisey via a penalty corner after just two minutes to set him on his way to a superb first half hat-trick.
The momentum continued as Ben Brittain scored at the five minute mark, followed by goals from Alex Hutton and Moisey again before Thomas Fowkes joined the scoring spree with a goal to make it 5-0 in the first quarter of an hour.
Despite a brief resistance, Bourne Deeping maintained their dominance with Moisey completing his hat-trick on the half-hour, capping off a display of great composure in front of goal and some clinical finishing.
The second half saw no respite for Cambridge City with Angus Macbeth's effort squeezing its way over the line just five minutes after the restart and Fowkes adding to his tally shortly after.
The game understandably slowed in the last half hour, the Dragons unable to keep up such a vicious scoring rate.
Skipper Ryan Matthews made it 9-0 on the hour, as the Dragons held the ball for long periods, recycling well and always looking in control.
City did get the last laugh though with a well-struck short corner consolation 10 minutes from time.