Oldham battlers fall to defeat

CHANCE . . . Karen Rowley

MISSING a handful of first-team regulars, Oldham firsts lost 7-0 against Cheshire rivals Deeside Ramblers in their first home game of the new North Hockey Women's League Division Two South-West campaign.

Deeside settled quickly against the depleted hosts, and used their pace, power and superior skill to run out convincing winners.

With a quad injury to Amanda Smith, this left Oldham with a bare 11 and Deeside utilised their squad of 15 by rotating the midfield and forward line.

Oldham could not clear their lines and were under the cosh before Deeside took a fortuitous lead.

A smashed cross was blocked by centre back and Oldham skipper Daisy May Ward, before flying high into the hosts' net.

Now firmly on top, Deeside scored a couple more in quick succession.

The Oldham midfield were chasing shadows as the Deeside back line pushed high and used the full-backs to utilise the width.

Deeside were physical and pressed Oldham as soon as they gained possession.

They hunted in packs and Oldham grew frustrated as they didn't retain possession long enough to mount any threat going forward.

Sarah Simpson in the Oldham goal did her utmost to contain Deeside, but at half-time the game was over as a contest as it was 4-0.

Oldham remained determined to limit the damage, but another injury to forward Rebecca Blair, with no substitutes, made the Oldham task almost impossible.

Yvonne Jackson and Ward were impressive as the centre back pairing despite the scoreline, and the former was blocking, chasing and organising and was deservedly named player of the game.

The closest Oldham came was a strike by Karen Rowley which went wide of a post.

Deeside added another two open play goals and a penalty stroke as the local side were outclassed from start to finish.

Oldham: Simpson (GK), Ward (C), Onuoha, Faulkner, Y Jackson, Howard, Meanock, Burns, Blair, Rowley, Smith, H Jackson.

OLDHAM thirds slipped to a 3-1 loss against Didsbury Northern fifths in their Greater Manchester Hockey Association Women's Division Three fixture.

Sisters Jess and Olivia Perry produced some eye catching displays, but Oldham found themselves 2-0 down against the run of play when Didsbury were awarded a penalty flick.

Oldham battled in the second half with 13-year-old junior Katie Hargreaves being denied her first goal, and soon after Didsbury were awarded their third goal of the game.

Jess Perry ­- Oldham's player of the match ­- scored a superb late consolation goal for Oldham.

Oldham: Chadwick (GK), Booth, Cooper, Ashton, S Lord, Bates (C), J Perry, O Perry, Dunn, Hargreaves, O'Donnell, K Lord.

OLDHAM'S second team were without a fixture.