Four-midable firsts salute ace Simpson

Photo: -TIM BRADLEY

surrounded: Oldham’s Yvonne Jackson has nowhere to go, while Rachael Johnson attempts to dispossess her rival.

Hockey:

OLDHAM Ladies Hockey Club firsts are flying high in North Hockey Women’s League Division Two South-West.

They are up to second place in the table after beating Crewe Vagrants 1-0 — their fourth victory in a row. It was a performance of skill mixed with determination, and was again achieved in no small part to the excellence of Sarah Simpson, who saved a second-half penalty stroke.

Despite missing the pace of Fran Barlow and Rebecca Blair, Oldham still looked to hit Crewe on the break. They also held up the ball on occasions in order to attack in numbers.

Oldham took the lead through forward Louise Howard, who took advantage of a poor touch from a Crewe defender to slam the ball home.

The second half followed in much the same vein, with both teams trying to press at every opportunity.

Oldham defended stoutly, while Crewe became frustrated in their efforts to get back on to level terms. Both teams were punished with green cards and a sin-bin apiece.

In midfield, player of the day Rachael Johnson never stopped running and tackling, while Danni Rawlinson shone in the holding role.

Crewe were handed a great chance to draw level when Chidi Onuoha, in attempting to clear off the line, saw the ball strike her foot.

A penalty stroke was awarded, but in-form Simpson was up to task, saving the slightly-scuffed effort with her pads to the relief of the Oldham players.

Oldham were under the cosh for the last 20 minutes, but when they did gain possession, they hung on to it with some intelligent hockey.



A LATE goal from Gillian Jones earned Oldham’s second string a battling 3-3 draw against Bury firsts in Greater Manchester Hockey Association Division One.

It was a topsy-turvy clash at Newman Collage, with Bury taking the lead despite some promising attacks by hosts’ forward line of Yvonne Jackson and Emily Milnes.