FIRSTS MARCH ON
Leicester's 100% record remains intact following an exciting 3-0 win over title pretenders Reading on Sunday at Leicester Grammar School. In the spirit of Network Rail, the game was held up up for a while because of leaves on the lines (and all over one side of the pitch) but when it got underway Leicester stayed on track while Reading got derailed.
Leicester were still missing the injured Kerry Williams, Abi Harper and Anne Panter as well as the red tape bound Crista Cullen but welcomed back Chloe Rogers for her first appearance of the season. Reading could not field Helen Richardson or Beth Storry through injury so we were denied the chance to see her against her old clubmates.
It was another player returning from Dutch hockey who caught the eye though. Beckie Herbert scored her first goal of the campaign (and an early contender for goal of the season) with a fine solo run followed by a cracking shot. The first half ended with a succession of Reading penalty corners which Leicester's defence and keeper Maddy Hinch dealt with very capably.
Leicester spent most of the second half on the attack with the speed of Herbert and Long and the tenacity of Hannah MacLeod causing the southerners all sorts of problems. MacLeod dived to apply the finishing touch for the second and was there to deflect in the third after a fine run (and air shot) from Long. 3-0 was pretty comprehensive and Leicester top the table ahead of the other 100% side, Olton, who won 2-1 against Canterbury.
Next week the team plays a double header travelling to Bowdon Hightown on Sat urday for what should be a tough game before playing a Cup match at home on Sunday (12.30) against Midlands Premier leaders, Worcester. More good news is that Crista Cullen will have jumped through enough bureaucratic hoops to be back in club colours next weekend.
Also last Sunday the club U18s began their quest to reach the national finals for a third consecutive year. They entertained Olton and ran out comfortable 8-0 winners with four goals in each half. Jess Anand, who is celebrating her call up for the Mercian Lynx U18 side, led the way with four goals. Lizzie Honarmand, who is in the Lynx U16s, was amongst the other scorers alongside Tori Moore, and HIPAC U17 players Jess Hickman and Pip Nicholas. Leicester's other Lynx U18 star, Caitlin Jeffries had a quiet time in goal but made a great save late on to keep Olton scoreless.
In League action elsewhere the 2nds were disappointed to lose their Midlands Premier match at Bedford 2-0. The 3rds secured a fine 3-1 win against Melton to make it two wins from two. The 4ths had a comprehensive win over Charnwood/Sileby with Abi Williams scoring twice alongside goals from Abbie MacArthur, Jo Wyeth and Gaynor Nash. The 5ths were very unlucky to lose their season opener 1-0 to an experienced Roundhill side. 7 of the Leicester players were experiencing women's League hockey for the first time.