Hockey (From Cotswold Journal)

Hockey

4:30pm Friday 1st March 2013 in Sport

PERSHORE’S promotion hopes were further dashed by losing 4-1 at leaders Bromsgrove in ENER-G Men’s League West Midlands Division Two.

The visitors’ defence, marshalled by Russell Scudamore, repelled early chances and Gareth Rushton went close after good work from Anthony Handley. But Bromsgrove went ahead with a fine move and their second goal was a piledriver from a short corner.

The hosts extended their lead in the second-half with a solo effort before Handley pulled a goal back with the help of Stephen Ridsdale and Rob Smith only for Bromsgrove to seal the victory.

The seconds lost 4-1 at West Bromwich despite a committed display.

Pershore went close through Oli Betteridge before Ali Sanderson levelled with a fine strike.

However, West Brom won with their keeper playing a starring role in the face of pacy attacking from Tom Quantrell and Graham Handley aided by the passing of Joe Broome and Vincent Crowley.

Pershore thirds lost 2-0 at home to second-placed Bromsgrove after conceding to near-post scrambles.

In Worcestershire Women’s League Division Two, leaders Pershore beat Stourport fourths 1-0 in an edgy affair.

The hosts took only five minutes to break the deadlock as a quick ball into the ‘D’ saw player-of-the-match Zoe Nicholson sweep in at a tight angle.

Mary Small and Emma Gardner were denied further goals by a solid defence and even better keeper.

The defence in front of keeper Gemma Pinney held strong for Pershore who visit King’s Heath Pickwick on Saturday.

• LEADERS Bretforton squashed Westberries seconds with a fine 5-1 away success in the West Club Women’s League North Division.

The Vale side warmed up for Saturday’s showdown with second-placed Jaspers at Evesham High School (10.30am) with a comfortable victory at improved fourthplaced opponents.

Bret went ahead when Hayley Whitehouse made one of her trademark runs and passed for Julie Hall to tap in at the far post.

Sarah Hall then found Lisa Workman, who prodded home from close range, before the visitors’ Sarah Cook kept Westberries out with fine tackles and Sue Headington cleared off the line.

Bret extended their lead when Workman ran straight into the ‘D’ and walloped the ball home.

The hard-working Daisy Wheeler, player-of-the-match in a new midfield role, supplied Sarah Hall and she lifted the ball over the flailing keeper for the fourth goal.

Bret conceded a sloppy effort but Deb Slatter bravely slotted home from a short corner to complete the scoring.