Blistering six-goal second half by impressive North Notts Ladies

A blistering, six-goal second half display continued the impressive start to the new season made by North Notts Ladies in Division One of the Midland Women's Hockey League.
NORTH Notts round-up.NORTH Notts round-up.
NORTH Notts round-up.

After their win over Shrewsbury Ladies on the opening day of the campaign, North Notts were full of confidence for their trip to Solihull to face Olton and West Warwickshire Ladies 2nd. And although it took them most of the first half to break the deadlock, they ended up with a 7-0 victory.

A constructive half-time team-talk did the trick as North Notts came out and dominated the second period, increasing the level of their performance and running in six more goals.

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Olton were unable to handle the high pressing, aggressive tackling and accurate passing of the visiting side, who created a range of scoring opportunities.

The pick of the goals was the first, which made it 2-0. It came when the ball was collected close to the circle and driven into the D on the right-hand side before being rocketed into the top left-hand corner of the net.

From then, goals followed at regular intervals as Alicia Robinson netted twice, including a neat finish after rounding the goalkeeper, and Amy Butler, Holly Whittaker and Clare Faulkner also made the scoresheet.

Butler, who was named players’ player of the match, had also opened the scoring late in the first half when a penalty corner was won. Up she stepped to connect with the ball at the top of the circle and fire it past the ‘keeper.

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Before then, both sides had played cautiously on a slippery pitch and in pouring rain. Slowly but surely, North Notts began to assert, and some near-misses included a ball from Robinson that flashed across goal, with Lisa Butler only inches away from getting a touch at the back post.

This Saturday (11 am), North Notts are back at home when they take on Stourport Ladies 2nd at the Manor Sports Centre.

AN established and strong Southwell Brincliffe United Ladies team were too strong for North Notts Ladies 2nd in the First Division of the Notts Women’s Hockey League.

Three goals by the hosts in the first half left the visitors with a mountain to climb as they tried valiantly to defend into bright, low sunshine at the Southwell Minster School ground.

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North Notts were more resilient in the second half as a changed formation enabled them to increase possession and attacking options. But they conceded another goal just before the final whistle to go down 4-0.

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