Marok stars as SOHC second XI are beaten at Dartmouth

Sidmouth and Ottery ladies’ second team gave a good account of themselves before going down 6-2 to hosts Dartmouth in the first game of a new league season.

SOHC made a bright start and moved the ball well pushing hard up the pitch.

However, the home side grew in confidence and they too began to press in the visitors’ final third from where they opened the scoring.

SOHC, and in particular the industrious midfield pairing of Maisie Pritchard and Ellie Marok, defended well as a unit and broke swiftly, but the home side had genuine pace in their ranks and their slick attacking play brought them three further first half goals.

SOHC did not let their heads drop and there were a number of slick sorties deep into home territory by Sophie Jackson, Frankie Elliott and Sam Parkyn.

At the other end defenders Jess Allen and Lizzie Nancekivell, with Becky Delasalle in goal, combined well to deny Dartmouth further scores.

Late in the half a run of penalty corners and continued pressure resulted in a superb goal from a rebound, netted by Sophie Hudson.

The SOHC start to the second half was as skilful as it was mature and this forced the home side onto the back foot.

Several penalty corners were awarded, but despite their best efforts, SOHC could not muster a anything other than a goal from striker Karen Dutton. Two further goals from the home side late on consigned SOHC to a defeat and a score line that does not do justice to the contribution they made to a fine game.

Ellie Marok and Katie Jackson were superb in the SOH midfield with Marok being named the Player of the Match.