Tavistock ladies firsts 4

Mannamead ladies firsts 0

IN their first league hockey match for both teams following the Christmas break the game started at a steady pace with Tavistock soon starting to put pressure on the Mannamead defence.

Their first goal came from a loose ball picked up by captain Armstrong, who drove into the D and struck it top right of the keeper to make it 1-0.

The conditions became wet as the rain increased resulting in Tavistock having several near misses on goal, with strong balls coming to the forward line from Payne, Patterson and Mills Hicks. However the Mannamead keeper remained strong, along with the away team central defender, to keep the score line to 1-0 at half time.

The second half opened in torrential conditions with the surface water on the pitch still having an effect — despite this Tavistock quickly took control.

A short corner awarded to the home team saw Armstrong stop and strike the ball wide; Payne at the far post picked up the wide ball, control and flick over the diving keeper to make it 2-0.

Mannamead hit several long balls through to create attacks, which were held out by Colston, Kelly, Pollock and Langsford.

A strong ball out from the Tavistock defence reached attacker Law; she drove the ball to the back line where Gaspar slipped it to White who pushed the ball in the goal to make it 3-0.

A final attack from Mannamead saw keeper Viggers dive and stop the ball on the line, which Colston then cleared.

Tavistock stole back possession in the dying minutes and created a final attack through Langsford to right winger Lamb. A Mannamead foot in the D meant a short corner was awarded to Tavistock. The ball was moved from Payne to Armstrong, who struck with Patterson picking up the rebounded slicing the ball in to the back of the net.

The final whistle followed with the score at 4-0 to Tavistock.