Hornets buzzing after pre-season friendly win over Redhill

The Hornets didn’t know what to expect from their Notts Division One opponents, and needing help from two second team players, were grateful for a full side at push back.

New season nerves didn’t seem a worry with the Hornets taking control inside 10 minutes with a superb open play goal from centre forward Sarah Joyce, taking on four players before sloting home the opener.

Jennie Bowmer the new captain took control and distributed the ball to give the forwards plenty of play and opportunity.

A bad chellnge in the D saw a short corner awarded on 15 minutes.

A push out from Joyce to Lynn Cresswell saw the ball struck back across the D for Joyce to tap in on the near post, a great finish from last season’s top scorer.

With the score at 2-0, Redhill rallied and broke free to bring the score to 2-1.

Hornets replied quickly with another short corner conversion scored once again by Joyce to claim her first hat-trick of the new season.

Half-time beckoned with the score at 3-1 to the Hornets, Jennie Bowmer talked through tactics for the second half and they immediately paid off with yet another short corner conversion created from some skillful play from Charlotte Welsby struck in by Joyce - an exact replica of the previous goal.

Redhill made several runs throughout the second half, testing both the Hornets defence and keeper.

Ellesha Garner, who stepped up from the seconds, had a superb game at the back with Rachel Scott the Hornets new keeper making crucial saves to keep Redhill at bay.

The last goal came from open play with yet another strike from Joyce.

The final whistle was blown to signal a 5-1 win for the Hornets.

Jennie Bowmer took both Players’ and Opposition’s Man of the Match awards for consistent hard work, distribution and crucial tackles, with Scott, Welsby, Emily Walton and Garner all coming close - proving what a great team performance this was.