Bourne Deeping Hockey Club round-up
A sixth successive East League victory helped unbeaten Bourne Deeping maintain their grip on top spot in Division 2NW after a 3-1 win over Cambridge South 2nds on Saturday.
The Dragons started at a fast space by creating space and winning a short corner which was scored by Alex Hutton.
Bourne Deeping continued to press forward but missed numerous chances before the second goal eventually arrived.
It came from a superb move with a long reverse stick pass from Hutton to Andy Kind who played it to Louis Batty racing into the D to deflect past the keeper.
Cambridge South continued to battle hard and offered a threat on the counter as they halved the deficit after the break.
Any Bourne Deeping nerves were soon settled though when Kind finally found the target spinning and pushing past the advancing keeper.
The rest of the half was spent with Bourne Deeping firmly on the attack but they couldn't find a way past an inspired Cambridge keeper who pulled off some great saves.
Bourne Deeping 2nds clinched a thrilling 8-3 victory over March Town after pulling ahead in a dominant second half after a tightly contested opening period.
The game began with intensity from both sides and the teams entered half-time deadlocked at 2-2.
March took the lead early with a well-placed shot, but Bourne Deeping quickly responded with a scrappy goal to equalise.
March continued to apply pressure, pushing forward to regain the advantage, however, Bourne Deeping's resilience showed and they levelled the score just before half-time.
After the break, Bourne Deeping returned to the field with renewed energy and an elevated level of play.
Their passing became crisper and their defensive structure solidified, allowing them to dominate possession and find gaps in March Town's defence.
A quick succession of goals early in the second half shifted the momentum entirely in Bourne Deeping's favour.
As Bourne Deeping continued to press, their attack proved relentless, adding six more goals to the scoreboard.
March managed to net one in response but they struggled to keep up with Bourne Deeping's cohesive play and precise finishing.
Bourne Deeping 3rds recorded a comfortable 6-1 victory over Spalding to maintain their 100 percent start to the season.
The home side soon took control and led through Moisey via a penalty corner and then Richard Gray came off the bench to double the lead with his first involvement.
James Risebrow didn't hesitate when a flick was awarded and stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way while Mark Cox got in on the action before the break and the hosts were four up.
Bourne Deeping hadn't had it all their own way though and Spalding converted first after half-time.
The visitors had brief thoughts of a comeback but Knipe, Taylor, Foston and Rehman snuffed them out as the Dragons piled on the pressure.
Waters sorted his feet and stick out to finish from close range and Cox added to his tally with a thunderous penalty corner strike that deflected high into the roof of the net.
Bourne Deeping 5ths defied the absence of a regular goalkeeper to secure a 4-1 win at St Neots.
Luke McKenna secured the left hand side of defence while Luke Joyner snuffed out central attacks with Ben Staff again having a lot of work, wriggling from the attention of two and sometimes three opponents.
The attacking threat was improved and Graham Brewer slotted home for his efforts while James Watkins, chasing the team's top scorer position, also found the net and the visitors led at the turnaround.
Tyler Armstrong had been isolated on the left side so a half-time change allowed him more action in the second half and the chances kept coming for both sides in end-to-end exchanges.
Ian Sanderson was rewarded for his efforts with a goal and Armstrong showed he isn't shy when it comes to shooting in two penalty corner situations - the first attempt was saved but in the re-run the backboard rattled and his first club goal was recorded.
The home side finished smartly with an effort that would have left most keepers stranded, but it was just a consolation as a first win was recorded by the Dragons.
Bourne Deeping Ladies delivered an impressive display filled with stand-out performances in their two-goal victory against Kettering on Saturday.
With the cool, calm and collected defence of Josie Criddle, Nadine Curtis and Caroline Geddes, Kettering found it tricky to make a breakthrough.
The consistent skills and speed from the central players Becky Warters, Norah Brill and Flo Dexter aided the defence and pushed the play upfield.
The Dragons set the pace early, moving the ball skillfully and creating several chances.
The breakthrough came in the 29th minute when Alessia Russo took a perfect shot on goal, slamming the ball firmly into the back of the net.
The team continued to press, with Lara Shell making determined runs into the D and challenging Kettering's defence.
Despite her best efforts, Shell was unlucky not to score, but her energy and persistence opened up space and created opportunities for her team-mates.
With Libby Moore and Philly Hix on the wing, they used their speed to create opportunities for the Dragons to attack.
Kettering pushed hard in the second half, but the Dragons' defence was steadfast.
Goalkeeper Eliana Russo made some vital saves to keep Kettering off the scoreboard, showing excellent reflexes and poise under pressure.
The Dragons doubled their lead late in the game as Katie Mulhern, who had been working tirelessly throughout, found herself in a prime position in the D to slot home the match-clinching second goal.
The second team went down to a 7-2 loss against March but, playing gainst a side who had only conceded one goal in five games, Bourne Deeping came away feeling positive with their effort.
