Hockey match report 12th January 2008- Morpeth Ladies’ First Team

Morpeth 1 Durham Uni 0 match abandoned

Morpeth’s New Year’s resolutions must have been for team unity and some sexy hockey and did they ever deliver. Durham University had annihilated them at Maiden Castle but were it not for the dropping temperatures Morpeth for sure were about to reap their revenge.

The first 15 minutes of the game saw team Morpeth play undoubtedly their best hockey of the season. They passed in triangles confidently in all areas of the pitch. They were happy to pass back and have faith in their defenders but also utilised shorter balls much more effectively than before the Christmas break. The hit and hope mentality was nowhere to be seen.

Cockburn’s minor tinkering with positions in her squad made an unbelievable difference. O’Brien shone at the front on the left, a position which allows her to fully unleash her reverse stick sweeps. And it was with one of these in the circle that she managed to put her side a goal up within 20 seconds.

The goal originated on the right with Bowler slipping to Wardle who returned the pass. Bowler than linked with Dixon - who the captain in a brainstorm had swapped to the right – she’s been wasted on the left and her pace allowed her to attack the defence’s weak side. She did exactly that and crossed to the top of the D. O’Brien will hit better shots but it beat the keeper and that’s all that counts.

Addy was brought in at left defence and this allowed a route out on that side as she confidently carried the ball off the stick of the Durham’s attackers and up the pitch to counter attack at pace. The three defenders were seamless and when required Rose looked utterly confident.

Morpeth’s shape just looked all together better. The midfield worked together as a confident unit pressing the ball in defence and opening up on attack.

Unfortunately when it really should have been Mopeth’s finest hour they were dealt a bitter blow. In the second half the umpires stopped play and called the captains over. After lengthy discussions the game was abandoned due to a frozen pitch minutes before the result would have stood. Durham escaped lightly and certainly wouldn’t complain. Morpeth just need to be confident they can play that well in the rematch on Sunday.

Team list: Janice Rose (GK), Jenny Pattison, Karen Hindmarch, Nikki Addy, Nikki Bowler, Emma Cockburn (capt), Sarah Henderson, Katie Wardle, Lucy Dixon, Lindsey Moore, Charlotte O’Brien, Lyn Watkins, Marian Simpson,

Match sponsored by Kit and Sticks