Hockey: Old Malton start with tough loss (From Gazette & Herald)

Hockey: Old Malton start with tough loss

2:53pm Wednesday 26th September 2012 in Sport

A man-of-the-match performance from goalkeeper Tom Bumby could not prevent promoted Old Malton beginning their Yorkshire League division one campaign with a 4-2 loss at last season’s division two champions Normanby Park.

Malton had only 11 players available and it was always going to be a difficult opener at a venue where they had lost 5-0 last term.

The game was even for the first 15 minutes with both sides taking time to get used to some new rules. But when the ball was given away Malton allowed Normanby to much time and space, and the hosts made good use of an overlap to open the scoring.

Malt created some chances but lacked the final touch, and, with half-time approaching, a slip at the back left a man free and a smart touch gave Bumby in goal no chance.

The break gave Old Malton chance to have a rest and they resumed looking a bit more positive. Smart work in midfield led to a sweet strike by James Tindal and the visitors had a much-needed boost.

However, the warm conditions started to play a part, with Malton having no interchanges and Park making full use of theirs and it was only time before the increase in pressure took its toll.

Also, Malton did not help their cause when all too often they rushed moves and gave the ball away too easily and they paid the price to concede again.

Malton nevertheless did pull a goal back when a smart short corner routine by the Tindal brothers saw Williams strike nestle in the bottom corner.

Bumby who made some fantastic stops, could do nothing about the last goal when a deflection off a Malton stick saw the ball in the back of the net.

Anyone interested in joining the squad can phone captain Adam Freer on 07969 533013 or Paul Coates on 01944 758107.

Newly promoted Pickering had a great start in Yorkshire Ladies’ League division five, beating Thirsk II 1-0.

Traditionally a well-matched fixture, this derby didn’t disappoint, with both teams playing expansive hockey resulting in an exciting game which could have gone either way.

Pickering dominated early on with some great two-touch passing from Emma Hoyle catching Thirsk on the back foot. The hosts’ early pace put defenders under pressure in the circle, giving Jo Davies the opportunity to pick the ball off a defender and go one on one with the ‘keeper, slipping a composed shot under her pads.

The first half continued to be evenly matched with end to end play, but some fine saves from both ’keepers kept the score 1-0 at the break.

Pickering took control in the second half and player-of-the-match Sophie Gilderdale worked well in midfield to break down play and release Lucy Jennings down the right.

Kat Hardwick worked tirelessly up front with Davies but the hosts were unable to find the target and give themselves the buffer they would have wanted in this tight match.

Thirsk gradually came back into the game and proved dangerous on the break, but Pickering soaked up the pressure well with debutant Nicky Freer making an important stick save on the line from a short corner.

Fellow debutant Eleanor Mawson positioned herself well on the wing to drive down the right but the visitors intercepted to break again and take play to the other end.

The game reached an exciting finale with a sustained attack from Thirsk keeping Pickering under pressure. The visitors earned a short corner on the final whistle which had to be played. However, Alex Borrell broke the line quickly to prevent Thirsk having an easy strike and the shot was forced wide to give Pickering a hard-earned win.

Sophie Shepherdson passed her umpiring assessment during this game.