Oldham fight back to win fourth in row

Daisy May Ward

OLDHAM'S first team secured their fourth straight victory in the North Hockey Women's League Division Two South-West, 2-1 at Sale.

Confidence was high. The Oldham defence stood firm initially, but Sale took the lead midway through the first half as a quick break saw them play a quick ball which was calmly slotted in at the back post.

Oldham are mentally strong this season and did not let the goal affect them, however. If anything it gave them the impetus to raise their game.

Karen Rowley injected a short corner and Louise Howard composed herself and fired home the equaliser between the goalkeeper's legs.

Another couple of minutes passed as the whistle went for half time.

Oldham were a different beast in the second period and played some lovely flowing hockey.

If Oldham did lose possession they hunted in pairs and Sale were pressured into a mistake or tackled.

The visitors took the lead only five minutes into the second half when they broke forward and Howard was in on goal.

She tried to take it round the 'keeper, but went a little wide and the chance looked to have gone.

However, Dannie Rawlinson was in acres of space at the top of the D and Howard picked her out and she finished into the corner.

Oldham never looked like losing after they took the lead and an outstanding second period was optimised by sheer work rate and desire.

The defence of captain Daisy May Ward (pictured above), Fran Lees and Kasia Faulkner were excellent again and Sale did not have any chances due to their concentration, marking and organisation.

Team: S Simpson (GK), F Lees, A Broadbent, DM Ward, J Perry, K Faulkner, G Jones, R Johnson, D Rawlinson, Y Jackson, L Howard, K Rowley.