Tenbury Ladies 2 – Stourport Ladies 2

This was a top of the table match between two talented teams and a draw was a good outcome for both sides. Tenbury had to come back from a two goal deficit to keep in touch with the league leaders. The home side produced the strongest attacking moves in the first 15 minutes, in which they had three short corners, all of which were defended well by Stourport. In the next period of play the visitors took more control and in turn forced three short corners. Kailee Hurdiss playing another fine match, saved each one but an infringement resulted in a penalty stroke which was converted. Tenbury responded well with both Rachel Croxton and Abi Thomas having their shots on goal saved by an alert Stourport goalkeeper. The play swept back into the Tenbury circle where another short corner was conceded from which a goal resulted from a powerful strike. Within two minutes, Tenbury were back in the match when following determined play by Amy Euen the ball was pushed to the back of the circle where Rachel Croxton produced a magnificent goal from a powerful flick. The match continued to be played at a fast pace with each side having opportunities to find the net. Both defences were strong, Lindsey Aldridge and Michele Petrie having outstanding games in defence, which now remained rock steady.

The opening minutes of the second half went in Stourport’s favour as they forced three more short corners, each of which was cleared. Oli Linton collected a pass and fed the ball on to Abi Thomas who taking the ball into the circle fired it past the goalkeeper at an acute angle to level the scores. In the final ten minutes, the game could have swung either way. Nikki Edwards playing up front made determined flowing runs to open up the Stourport defence, but all the strikes were saved. This was an exciting game played at a high level of tension. It produced another good result for Tenbury who again played as well.



Tenbury dominate the match but concede an equaliser in final minutes

Redditch Ladies 2 Tenbury Ladies 2

In a dramatic opening to the match, Tenbury scored within the first minute when Nicky Mills completed a fine passing movement from the hit off. She collected a pass from Rachel Croxton who had driven through the midfield, and fired a powerful shot from the top of the circle into the corner of the net. Tenbury continued to dominate the game but failed to press home the advantage. Redditch came back into the match with two short corners, the first of which was well saved by defender Lindsey Aldridge and the second by goalkeeper Kaylee Hurdiss. Tenbury pressed again to increase their lead but could not get shots on target. When Redditch were awarded their third short corner they levelled the score with a fine strike. Opportunities by Tenbury to increase their lead before half-time were again unrewarded despite good shots on goal by hard working forwards.

However, within a minute of the start of the second half Tenbury did impose their dominance by taking the lead once again. Oli Linton completed a flowing move by taking the ball into the circle and slipping it past the goalkeeper. Redditch immediately counter attacked and Jessica Preece made an outstanding stick save against a powerful drive in the circle and two short corners were well defended. Tenbury took play back into the Redditch half of the field with some fine passing movements in which Emma Hillhouse and player of the match Nicky Mills caused the Redditch defenders constant problems. The Tenbury mid-field was solid with Lindsey Aldridge marking tightly and Oli Linton making driving runs into the circle. Both players provided frequent attacking opportunities for the forwards. Rachel Croxton’s incisive flowing breaks maintained Tenbury’s dominance. But with two minutes left, the game also ended in drama. Redditch produced one final attack down the wing; the ball was centred and pushed into the goal in a final scramble. It was a disappointing result for Tenbury who should have made more of their opportunities to retain their high league status.