1s Back To Winning Ways

Bromley and Beckenham Ladies 1s v Old Loughtonians 2s, home, league, Sunday 21st January
Won: 2-1
Scorers: Sophie Davies, Vicky Ives

On Sunday we had a re-arranged league game against Old Loughts and everyone was keen to make up for our draw on Saturday. We again started the game well but it was Old Loughts who broke quickly and got the first short corner of the game. Fortunately our defence were slightly more awake than some of us and managed to clear the danger effectively! For the rest of the half, both teams had their fair share of chances but it was BromBeck who took the lead. Sophie Davies keeping her cool to slam the ball into the back of an empty net after their keeper had over-committed.

The score remained at 1-0 going into half time but we knew that we’d have to work very hard in the second half to retain our lead. In the end I think tiredness and varying degrees of hangovers got the better of us and Old Loughts dominated.

They had several chances, which were either well cleared by our defence or superbly saved by Alison Fox in goal. However, I don’t think anyone was particularly surprised when our barriers were eventually broken and they scored from a good short corner strike. For the next ten minutes or so, Old Loughts were in complete control and it was only through more fantastic diving stops from Ali that we didn’t concede. Having survived the barrage of shots, we seemed to get some extra energy and renewed confidence from somewhere. We had a couple of half chances before being awarded a short corner with 5 minutes left. A Sophie Davies strike was saved by their keeper but only as far as Vicky Ives who proceeded to bundle the ball into the back of the net from close range to restore our lead. The last few minutes were frantic with Old Loughts throwing everything they had at us but try as they may, they were unable to find the elusive equaliser. Final score 2-1 to BromBeck.

If we were unlucky not to win on Saurday, I think we were a little lucky to get 3 points today. However, it’s swings and roundabouts and sometimes these things happen. I’m personally happy with the results and we're still 4 points clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand. We don’t have a game next weekend but we’ll all be looking forward to the match against Upminster on the 4th.

Man of the match: Alison Fox – set a captain’s example with several amazing saves from shots that looked like certain goals.

Squad: Alison Fox (GK, capt), Chris McNeill, Vicky Ives, Sarah Phelps, Jess Riley, Sarah Bentley, Sophie Davies, Lucy Shepherd, Emma Shephered, Lisa Powell, Emma Greenway, Lynsey Askew, Lydia Greenway.

1s Drop Points in 0-0 Draw

Bromley and Beckenham Ladies 1s v Bishop’s Stortford, home, league, Saturday 21st January
Drew: 0-0

On Saturday, BromBeck ladies 1s dropped points for only the second game this season by drawing 0-0 with Bishop’s Stortford. We thought that it was going to be a tough game as they’d given us a good run for our money earlier on in the season and we were right.

BromBeck started well and for the first 20 minutes or so we played some of the best hockey that we’ve done so far this season. Our passing was fluent, 50-50 balls were ours and the skills were silky. However, we were unable to capitalise by taking the lead. For the rest of the half, Bishops’ Stortford began to get more involved in the game but were having difficulty breaking down our back 3 who were working well together.

We weren’t too disheartened at half time as we were all positive that if we carried on as we were it would only be a matter of time before we took the lead. Unfortunately this was not the case.

Despite having many opportunities we just could not put the ball in the back of the net. We hit the post twice and had one saved off the line and I think we slowly started to realise that it was just going to be ‘one of those days’. We didn’t give up though and continued to try and find a way through right to the end but it just wasn’t going to happen. Bishop’s Stortford’s defence were a well-organised unit and everyone worked hard for each other, 2 facts which seemed to belie their surprisingly low league position. Final score 0-0.

It was obviously a shame not to win this game as we’d played some superb hockey but we weren’t too disappointed as we knew that we’d been unlucky and at least we didn’t lose!

Man of the match: Lynsey Askew – had a fantastic game at Left Mid. Was very influential in a lot of the moves going forward and also tracked back to help in defence when required.

Squad: Alison Fox (GK, capt), Chris McNeil, Vicky Ives, Jess Riley, Sarah Phelps, Lynsey Askew, Sarah Bentley, Sophie Davies, Lucy Shepherd, Emma Shepherd, Lisa Powell, Emma Greenway

HA Trophy Sees First Defeat For Ladies 1s

Bromley and Beckenham Ladies 1s v Sudbury, HA Trophy (2nd round), Sunday 15th January
Lost: 2-0


On Sunday, Bromley and Beckenham Ladies 1s experienced their first loss of the season with a 2-0 defeat to Sudbury.

Having had a bye in the first round, BromBeck were given the toughest draw possible as they played Sudbury who were top of East Divison 1 North and also undefeated in the league. However, we'd played them in a friendly at the start of the season and drew 2-2 so we knew it was going to be a close game.

In the first half both teams played some lovely hockey but we cancelled each other out and the half time score remained at 0-0. BromBeck probably had the best of the chances with Sudbury's keeper making some good saves, notably from a penalty flick.

The 2nd half looked like offering more of the same as chances went begging at both ends. However, it was Sudbury who took the advantage with a well worked short corner routine. BromBeck's heads didn't go down though and we pressed forward again, looking for the equaliser. It wasn't to be though and Sudbury gained another short corner which they again converted. The next few minutes saw BromBeck panic for the first time in the game and the defence had to work hard as we gave the ball away a lot, leaving our back 3 exposed. They dealt with the pressure calmly though and no more goals were conceded. As the game wore on, BromBeck continued to try and score but in the end the Sudbury defence were equal to our efforts and the final score was 0-2.

Very disappointing to be knocked out so early in the competition but Sudbury were a very good oppostion and I wouldn't be suprised if they go on to win the competition so good luck to them.

Man of the Match: Lynsey Askew - made some good driving runs towards goal as well as tracking back to help with the defensive duties.

1s Winnin Run Continues

Bromley and Beckenham Ladies 1s v Bromley and Beckenham Ladies 2s, league, Saturday 14th January
Won 5-0
Scorers: Lias Powell x2, Emma Greenway x1, Sophie Davies x1, Lynsey Askew x1

In the first league game back after Christmas, BromBeck Ladies 1s faced BromBeck Ladies 2s. Having beaten Gore Court 5-0 in a friendly the previous week, the 1s were feeling confident but we also knew the 2s were determined to get a good result against us and that we'd have to be on our toes from the start. This proved to be the case as for the first few minutes both sides played some lovely hockey with chances appearing at both ends. However, it was the 1s who showed their caliber by taking the lead with 10minutes on the clock. This seemed to knock the wind out of the 2s' sails for the rest of the half with the 1s capitalising on this by scoring 2 goals from short corners. Firstly Sophie Davies' straight strike was deflected into the goal witha good touch from and secondly Emma Greenway's strike from the right unluckily hitting a foot and somehow getting bundled into the goal off of the defender (I'm still claiming it though!)

The second half was a different story as the 2s came back with a vengeance, showing great determination and fitness. Their passing was superb and they had several chances and short corners which they were unable to put away. Alison Fox, the 1s keeper was our man of the match so I think this says something! However, it wasn't all one-sided as the 1s held their nerve well in defence and scored another 2 goals on the break to put the game out of the 2s reach. Both of these were courtesy of classis Lisa Powell strikes from the top of the D. We had a chance to make it 6 when we were awarded a penalty stroke but unfortunately Lisa hit the post. The final score was 5-0. A great game of hockey that was played in the right spirit. I personally think the score-line was a little hard on the 2s - maybe 3-1 would've been a fair result but yet again, another brilliant result for the 1s. Let's hope that we can take this result into next week and that the 2s can notch up a victory against Welwyn Garden City.

Man of the match for the 1s: Alison Fox - made some brilliant saves and nothing looked like getting passed her.
Man of the match for the 2s: Rachel McMillan - made some fantastic tackles in the centre of defence to prevent the scoreline being higher