Lowestoft Railway 1, Beccles 2BECCLES, currently placed third in division one of the M&A Partners Norfolk Hockey League, travelled to Kirkley High School.

Lowestoft Railway 1, Beccles 2

BECCLES, currently placed third in division one of the M&A Partners Norfolk Hockey League, travelled to Kirkley High School.

It was a rearranged game against Lowestoft Railway, in top place and still undefeated after 10 games.

Beccles were finally able field a full side and even had a reserve this week.

Beccles started strongly, and in the first half especially, they played some exceptional team hockey.

Brenda Thompson returned to the side and put in a solid performance. Ella Crouch and Karen Knight had to make positional changes but this in no way affected their great contribution to the game.

This was reflected in the whole team, as every player's work rate was high and the team really gelled well together with some superb skilful hockey.

Beccles took the lead through Laura Ashworth after 12 minutes as she connected with a hard hit from the right from Annette Freeman, and swept the ball into the goal.

Beccles continued to be the stronger side in the first half with Jodie Smith, Karen Knight and Ali Foreman dominating the midfield and causing the opposition plenty of problems with their running at the defence.

A long, hard shot was struck into the Lowestoft Railway's half. Debbie Mann managed to get a touch to the ball, sending it passed her marker but hurtling towards the back line.

Knowing that there was only the keeper to beat, she just managed to keep the ball in play and shot it towards the goal. The advancing keeper got a touch to the ball, but it was not enough to stop the goal.

In the second half Railway gave Beccles more resistance and created more scoring chances than they had done in the first half. The Beccles defence kept calm throughout and it was possibly this fact that helped them break Railway's unbeaten record.

Heather Brand and Max Gibbs had their work cut out but they coped admirably. Lorraine Greenwood had to make a couple of crucial saves, but otherwise the keeper was not really troubled as the defence coped with any dangerous situations.

Railway did pull one back in open play through Jess Kleyn and the final score remained at 2-1.