Howard shines in double tonic

LOUISE HOWARD

HOCKEY: OLDHAM enjoyed a double victory boost when beating Didsbury Northern Twos 4-3 and Didsbury Greys Twos on penalty strokes in the Greater Manchester Hockey Association All Divisions Cup semi-final.

After a poor run of form, Oldham were desperate to return to winning against Northern, and from the off were intent on attacking. Louise Howard fired in the opene, despite the best efforts of a Didsbury defender on the line.

Howard followed in to beat a defender to a 50/50 from close range, but Didsbury rallied well and soon made it 2-2.

Karen Rowley rifled into the top left-hand corner to restore Oldham’s advantage only for Didsbury to again hit back with a scrappy equaliser.

With minutes to go, a perfectly-weighted ball from Fran Barlow left Howard with just the ’keeper to beat, and she slotted home her third goal to take the three points.


THE following day Oldham edged to victory in the All Divisions Cup competition. Oldham played Didsbury Northern Twos and the match eventually ended 4-4.

On target for the local side were Rowley, Howard (two) and Amanda Smith, who scored with a first-time dinked finish.

The lottery of penalty strokes settled the outcome after Oldham had been moments away from sealing their final spot. Howard, Rowley, Daisy May Ward and Yvonne Jackson scored in the shoot-out for Oldham as they won 4-3. ’Keeper Sarah Simpson was the hero as she saved the final Didsbury stroke.