Rawlinson shines for four-midable first

STICKS AWAY . . . Oldham’s Karen Rowley unleashes an effort towards the Prescot goal. PICTURE: TIM BRADLEY

OLDHAM Ladies Hockey Club firsts wrapped their season on a high after sweeping aside Prescot 4-1 at Newman College.

Fresh from their cup-final success of the previous week, the win guaranteed the team a mid-table finish in their division

Oldham were dealt a blow in the warm-up as the versatile Yvonne Jackson pulled up with an injury and played no part in the game.

The hosts, despite Karen Rowley forcing by Prescot ’keeper into a couple of decent saves, were not at their fluent best in the opening stages. But they took a deserved lead through Louise Howard following a short corner routine.

Home centre-back Daisy May Ward then saw green for a stick tackle, and the numerical advantage paid off for Prescot, who equalised, also from a short corner, before half-time.

Oldham emerged with all guns blazing in the second half. Emma Burns put Oldham ahead again,

tapping in at the far post after reading Rowley’s reverse flick shot.

Rowley made it 3-1 after running on to Howard’s pass.

After striking a post for a second time, Howard doubled her tally with a volley after finishing off a move involving player of the game Jordanna Rawlinson and Rebecca Blair.

While Oldham carved out more chances, they also remained solid at the back, despite Chidi Onuoha receiving a green card for dissent late on.