Encouraging start for firsts

HOCKEY:

OLDHAM Ladies Hockey Club enter their 60th year with new challenges and a clutch of new faces.

Following on from last season’s promotion, the first team have stepped up to North Women’s League Division Two.

The high level of hockey, coupled with the absence of several key players, means Oldham will have their work cut out to avoid relegation.

Despite the odds being stacked against them, they got their campaign under way with a promising 1-1 draw at home to Springfields UCLAN.

Captain and player-of-the-day Louise Howard put Oldham ahead in the 10th minute after good work from Yvonne Jackson and Gill Lord.

The home team continued to dominate the first half, but were unable to add to their tally.

The second half was a different story. The younger university side enjoyed more possession and equalised from a short corner in the 40th minute.

The defence, marshalled expertly by Lesley Beddow, kept Springfields at bay, and Oldham wasted a good chance to take all three points in the closing minutes.

The club’s second team started their Greater Manchester League Division One season with a 2-0 defeat at Stockport firsts.

Also missing several regular players and with fresh faces bedding in, Oldham were grateful to ’keeper Jen Green for preventing further goals.

In Division Three, a new-look third team slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to their Bolton counterparts.

It was an encouraging display from the Oldham side who are still getting to know each other.

Behind at the break, they were much better in the second half and were unlucky not to earn a point.



OLDHAM Ladies Hockey Club require new players of all abilities.

Training is on Grange School’s artificial surace every Thursday from 7pm to 8pm.

For more details, go to oldhamladieshockey.org.uk