Mendip Hockey began the New Year well, with a win in a friendly fixture against Shepton Mallet. The two teams proved to be quite evenly matched for the first period of the game, both providing attacking threats on the break.
Player of the Match, Jess Baird, was strong in defence to prevent the visitors from scoring, and also provided an assist for the first goal when she picked out Connie Glover with a marvellous pass, who slotted the ball home. Glover then doubled the lead before half-time, after a period of sustained pressure from the home team created a goal-scoring opportunity.
Shepton Mallet had some chances to score in the second half, which the Mendip defence dealt with well to ensure they kept a clean sheet. Central midfielder, Sally Stanford, provided a vital link between attack and defence in order to move her team up the pitch to try and increase their lead. Carol Holmes added her name to the score sheet with a well-hit strike from the top of the D to take the score to 3–0 for the home team.
Mendip travel to play Old Bristolians next weekend, in their first league match of 2017.
The Ladies Firsts won 6–0 away to Mid-Somerset in a friendly.
This week we’re back to league action, with the Ladies Firsts home to Salisbury (1.30 p.m.), the Seconds away to Old Bristolians (1 p.m.) and the Thirds away to South Gloucestershire (1 p.m). The Men’s First team face Old Bristolians at home (12 noon), while the Men’s Seconds are away to Weston-super-Mare (2 p.m.).
Connie Glover