Hockey: Brilliant Bognor too strong for Southwick

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Bognor Town Ladies 6 Southwick Ladies 0

Bognor continued their winning ways in Arctic conditions.

The game started slowly for Bognor with Southwick warming into the match with crisp passing and determined running.

However, Bognor’s midfield of Charlotte Cox, Sue Perry, Nadia Muncey and Theresa Cooper were able to smother the initial threat and gradually the long passing of Cox and Emma Hunt began to ask questions of the Southwick defence.

Charlotte Cox opened the scoring with a fine individual run and shot. Hunt hit the opposing D for the second week running but this time saw her shot spin wide.

Karen Harmer, running in from the right, snatched a second. Charlotte Cox’s second and Bognor’s third crept in under the Southwick keeper just before half time.

A quick turnaround at half-time was in order to reduce the risk of the cold harming the players and umpires.

Southwick valiantly forced their way forward again and displayed good passing. Determined defensive commitment from Kim Clarke and Debbie Cox ensured young Lily Morris in goal was not worried too greatly.

Captain Cooper marshalled the midfield with great panache and as in previous games, Bognor went from strength to strength.

Charlotte Cox added to her tally with a short-corner strike and then stepped up to convert a penalty flick in driving sleet and hail for Bognor’s fourth and fifth.

June Rogers slipped in the final Bognor goal of the day and the final whistle was blown as Cox again prepared to forge into the opposing D.

The Fox Inn player of the match award went jointly to Charlotte Cox and Hunt.

BOGNOR: Theresa Cooper, Charlotte Cox, Lily Morris, Kim Clarke, Helen Arnold, Debbie Cox, Emma Hunt, Nadia Muncey, Sue Perry, Vanessa Green, Clare McKnight, June Rogers, Karen Harmer, Sue Woodall.

Worthing II 0 Chi Priory Park Ladies II 2

After the long break, Chichester picked up where they left off before Christmas. They had a great squad and, for a change, some substitutes.

The game was quite frantic from the first whistle as not everyone was playing in their usual position.

Their passing started well and there were battles for possession in all areas of the pitch.

Claire Young in the Chi goal had to make some important saves and without her, Chichester would have not had the confidence to push forward.

The forwards were making some great runs and Jenny Horton received the ball in the opposition’s D, and as the keeper came out to meet her, she guided the ball through her legs and into the goal.

The team used their subs well and everyone slotted into their new roles. Sally Bradley did well back in the sweeper role.

Chichester’s marking was at times hurried and disorganised but Worthing could not capitalise but again Young in goal was on top form.

Worthing were awarded a couple of short corners but Chi’s defence were equal to them.

Chichester’s midfield pressed the Worthing defence into making mistakes in their own defensive circle which led to a short corner from which Sarah Jessop scored – a straight strike from the top of the circle that neither the goalie nor a defender could stop.

Chichester played out the final few minutes confidently taking the points and gaining revenge a 5-2 defeat earlier in the season.

Chi PP: Claire Young, Tracy Austin, Rachael Trent , Jenny Horton , Damelza Peak, Sarah Jessop, Sarah Pack, Emily Ursell , Merryn Young, Jenna Greenway, Lindsay Hudson, Tendo Manyarara, Meg Goring, Sally Bradley.