Ladies 1sts Vs Dereham 2

Saturday 18th December 2020

East Women’s Hockey League

Dereham II   2      Broadland …2

Broadland battled the elements, the slippery pitch and some questionable decisions to get a point out of this rearranged match at Dereham.  The game remained scoreless at the break with Dereham failing to convert numerous penalty corner opportunities offered to them and Broadland by contrast being denied such luxuries by long advantage play which eventually and inevitability of course went nowhere.    The second half looked like it would be a replay of the first, but Broadland burst the bubble when Dani Parke following great indisputable work by the Broadland midfield, allowed Parke to glide through the Dereham rear-guard, sidestep the home team keeper and put her side ahead with a composed finish into the unguarded net.  Dereham were soon back in the game from a penalty corner,  with a powerful finish that flew into visitor’s net just inside the near post.  Dereham playing some competitive hockey, and now forcing the pace contested every ball with some strong challenges one of which resulted in Catherine Brewster receiving a heavy blow to the knee and her subsequent retirement from the game.  Broadland, somewhat unfazed by this set back, stuck to their battleplan and with less than five minutes remaining took the lead again when Helen Harper drove the ball forward, more in hope that expectation.  The ball taking a deflection off a defender’s stick flew high into the air and over Dereham’s back line, and into Kelly Allen’s path. Allen reacted quickly and deflected the ball past the Dereham keeper to put Broadland ahead again.  After a brief discussion between the umpires the goal was confirmed to the delight of the Broadland players.  Broadland’s delight and lead did not last long, however.  With less than two minutes on the clock and after the one- minute signal had been shown, not once but twice.  Dereham pulled the rabbit out of the bag with another penalty corner strike. Yes, there was an infringement inside the Broadland circle from a strong cross by a defender, but some skills Ronaldo would be proud off, were more than helpful to the Dereham winger.