White hot! Oldham's super six

ON PARADE . . . Oldham Ladies Hockey Club firsts had an Olympic gold-medal winner among their ranks before their latest league game. Nicola White is pictured with Rachael Johnson (back row, left), Lisa Meanock, Amy Broadbent, Sarah Simpson (goalkeeper), Fran Lees, Jordanna Rawlinson, Kasia Faulkner. Karen Rowley (front, left), Louise Howard, Daisy May Ward (captain), Yvonne Jackson, Jess Perry

FIRED UP Oldham Ladies Hockey Club firsts demolished Didsbury Greys seconds 6-1 at Newman College.

With Oldham's Great Britain Olympic hockey gold medallist Nicola White looking on, the local side tore into their rivals with Louise Howard scoring four of the goals.

The hosts had a firm grip on the North Hockey Women's League Division Two South-West clash from the off as they harried Didsbury.

Howard put Oldham in front after rounding the goalkeeper's challenge, before adding a second in the bottom left hand corner of the neet after seeing her initial shot saved.

Yvonne Jackson impressed on the right wing, while Karen Rowley hit both posts as the home side, comfortable in possession, continued to press.

Howard completed her treble in the second half after good work by Fran Lees and Danni Rawlinson, her shot going in off a post with the Didsbury keeper rooted to the spot.

Rachael Johnson got on the scoresheet when smashing home from a penalty corner, before Didsbury pulled one back against the run of play.

It was a mere consolation as Howard struck again from the top of the 'D' following an interchange with Rowley.

Oldham were not done with and following a clever ball up the line from the impressive Johnson, player of the game Howard played Rowley in and she lifted the ball high into the net.

The Oldham defence were largely untroubled, with Jess Perry looking comfortable on her first-team debut.

Oldham: Simpson (GK), Lees, Faulkner, Broadbent, Ward (C), Meanock, Rawlinson, Johnson, Y Jackson, Howard, Rowley, J Perry.

JEN Green produced some outstanding saves, but was unable to prevent Oldham seconds slipping to a 3-1 loss at home to recently-relegated Moss Park firsts.

Green denied the visitors from a penalty stroke, but could do little to prevent Moss taking a narrow first-half lead.

Despite some early pressing, Oldham conceded two goals from penalty corners in quick succession after the break, before Lorna McGuiness scored a consolation effort late on from a corner.

Oldham: Green (GK) Meanock (C), Smith, Cherryholme, J Perry, McGuiness, Johnson, Faulkner, Bratt, Booth, Barrett, Burns.

OLDHAM thirds exited the Greater Manchester All Divisions Cup after losing 3-2 on penalty flicks against Bury seconds, who play in the division above.

The local side, who started with a 1-0 advantage, were in front at half-time with some excellent defending from the back four and 'keeper Alison Chadwick.

Although Bury equalised after the break, fancy footwork by Karen Lord allowed her time to cross for Hayley O'Donnell, who applied a neat finish.

After holding out until five minutes from the end, the concession of Bury's second goal eventually led to the agony of Oldham going out on penalty flicks.

Oldham: Chadwick (GK), Cooper, Ashton, Doyle, Bates (C), O'Donnell, Kennedy, S Lord, Hargreaves, P Shepherdson, D Shepherdson, Bratt, K Lord.

• See more pictures of Nicola White on our picture sales site.