Your Match - Youthful Kirkby in the goals (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Your Match - Youthful Kirkby in the goals

12:19pm Tuesday 28th October 2008 in Sport By Gazette Sports

YOUR match - Detailed match reports sent in to the Sports Desk can feature on our website - send reports to richard.daniels@kendal.newsquest.co.uk. NETHERWOOD Hockey League.

KIRKBY STEPHEN fielded a youthful team when they travelled to Windermere for their Netherwood League fixture.

Both teams started strongly and were keen to gain an early lead but disciplined defending from the Kirkby back three of Clara Shields, Heidi Dent and Laura Hird absorbed the home side’s pressure and ensured the game was played in Windermere’s half.

Lottie Harrison-Beck and Sophie Bell made some excellent, energetic runs down the wings, while Jenny Sayer at sweeper pushed forward and encouraged Kirkby to attack.

After a quick break from midfield, Amy Potter opened the scoring just before half time with a clever reverse stick shot. Windermere came back strongly and quickly broke through the Kirkby defence forcing keeper Gemma Hughes to make her first save of the game.

Kirkby began the second half positively and were determined to increase their lead. Rebecca Brabbins and Vicki Potter worked hard in the centre of midfield delivering some excellent balls to the forwards Claire Smithson and Amy Potter.

After a string of shots on the Windermere goal, Amy Potter managed to place the ball past the keeper to put Kirkby two up.

The visitors were quick to increase their lead when a scramble in the D saw Kirkby hit the post and Lottie Harrison-Beck was quick to react and turn in the rebound. Kirkby’s players continued to work hard and played some attractive two touch hockey.

Francis Leech and Clara Shields combined well on the right wing to find Claire Smithson at the top of the D, her powerful shot on goal was turned in by Amy Potter completing her hat-trick. Despite a four-goal lead Kirkby took nothing for granted and a disciplined display saw the game finish 4-0.

Heidi Dent was named player of the match for her excellent work rate and team play at centre back.

Team: R Brabbins; A Potter; G Hughes; S Bell; L Harrison-Beck; H Dent; C Shields; L Hird; C Smithson; F Leech; V Potter; S Hughes; J Sayer.