Oldham celebrate silverware double

PLENTY TO CHEER ABOUT . . . trophy joy for Oldham first team

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OLDHAM Ladies Hockey Club’s first team won a thrilling Greater Manchester Hockey Association All Divisions Cup final with a terrific 4-2 defeat of City of Manchester.

Because their opponents played in the division below, Oldham started the game a goal down. The side was soon on level terms as Louise Howard fired home from the top of the ‘D’.

The early goal settled Oldham and they took the lead through a deft deflection from Karen Rowley, following a great ball by Gillian Jones.

Oldham were winning the midfield battle as Rachael Johnson and Jones were pulling the strings.

Rowley added her second and Oldham’s third after getting her stick under the ball and beyond the ’keeper.

Yvonne Jackson went close to making it four — she was denied by the City ’keeper — while at the other end the Oldham defence was rarely troubled.

Oldham utilised their rolling subs in the second half as the league game 24 hours earlier began to take its toll.

Jackson got on the scoresheet, finishing off an intricate move involving four players. Oldham then took their foot off the gas, but City were only able to pull one goal back, a penalty stroke after a foul by ’keeper Sarah Simpson.

City threw everything at Oldham, but they weathered the storm and almost grabbed a fifth late one with Fran Barlow twice going close.



Meanwhile, the first team’s league fixture ended in a 4-1 defeat at mid-table rivals Wrexham.
Due to the number of games over the weekend, Oldham were depleted in numbers. Rowley was the only recognised forward in the team.

Two goals adrift at half-time, they found themselves 3-0 down after the restart.

Amanda Smith pulled a goal back, volleying home at the far post, but Oldham conceded a fourth with a wonder strike from the top of the ‘D’.