Warmed up with win over Ottery Crickets

Sidmouth Ladies Hockey XI 3,

Otter Crickets Ladies 0

With only a week to go until the start of the season's league fixtures, this friendly match provided a good opportunity for both sides to practice playing with the new rules, and for the players to improve their match fitness.

With several of Sidmouth's regular first team players unavailable, some of the second team youngsters had the opportunity to make their debut.

Several chances went Sidmouth's way in the early part of the game, with the home side passing well and threatening to score on numerous occasions.

The best chance of the half followed a break created by good off-the-ball running, which resulted in Hattie Vanstone finding herself with space at the top of the D. She scored with a well-executed strike, showing the more senior members of the team how it's done!

Some resolute defending and strong goal keeping from the Crickets prevented Sidmouth from extending their lead for some time, and the visitors created some of their own chances.

Well-timed tackles from Lucy Broad and Janet Jones limited much of the Crickets' attacking play, as did the strong marking from Clare Choules.

In the second half it was Sidmouth's youngest player, Jess Allen, who reacted quickest to volley home the second goal following good build-up play by Vicki Tarr and Karen Cann.

The third goal came shortly after, when Taryn Beuthin combined with Anna Cloke to convert one of Sidmouth's short corner routines.

The late summer heat had an impact towards the end of the game as the running speeds decreased, and exhaustion set in.

Despite this, goalkeeper Hayley Delasalle remained focussed throughout and reacted well to keep a clean sheet.

l Sidmouth Ladies 1st team, who have been kindly sponsored by Dukes for the coming season, will play their opening league fixture against Tavistock at home at 3pm tomorrow.