Beccles hockey players win vital clash

Beccles 3, Reepham 2

With Beccles and Reepham lying in second and third place respectively in Division One of the M&A Partners Norfolk Hockey League, there was a lot at stake in this important game.

Beccles, who have not lost since the start of the year, were hosts to a side who had lost their previous two games.

Both teams played some good passing hockey and there was plenty of end-to-end play.

Beccles opened the scoring following an excellently-taken penalty flick by Jodie Smith.

This was awarded when a Reepham defender stopped the ball on the goal line with her foot after 12 minutes.

With more forwards than defenders, manager Christine Muttitt stepped in at right midfield for the first half, and she did a first-rate job.

After 20 minutes Beccles increased their lead when Annette Freeman's hard pass across the D towards the far corner found Jodie Smith who swept it into the goal. Reepham quickly responded with a well-taken goal from Katie Lake just three minutes later.

With only a minute to go before half-time, Beccles increased their lead when Max Gibbs received the ball from a penalty corner and slammed it past the defenders and into the goal, making the half-time score 3-1.

Undeterred, Reepham came out with purpose and created more scoring chances in the second half.

The Beccles goalkeeper had to pull off some crucial saves to keep her side ahead, ably supported by Karen Knight, Heather Brand and Max Gibbs who was solid in defence and read the game well. Reepham had a 'goal' disallowed after the initial shot from the penalty corner rose dangerously high into the players.

With just three minutes to go Reepham pulled one back through Dawn Fisher, but Beccles took all three points, and retained their second place position.

Thanks went to all those who supported the club's cake stall on Saturday, February 27.