Late strikes sink victory hopes

Beccles 2, Denver 3TWO goals in two minutes sealed this away win for Denver after Beccles had been leading 2-1, leaving Beccles below their opponents in Division One of the Martin & Acock Hockey League.

Beccles 2, Denver 3

TWO goals in two minutes sealed this away win for Denver after Beccles had been leading 2-1, leaving Beccles below their opponents in Division One of the Martin & Acock Hockey League.

Beccles started well against Denver's 10 players and produced scoring opportunities right from the start, but they were unable to penetrate the strong Denver defence.

Play continued with both teams pressing hard. The younger Denver team possessed greater pace and were quick to take any free hits, putting the pressure on the Beccles defence, who coped well.

With the score standing at 0-0 and 11 minutes to go to half-time, the Beccles centre midfield player Jodie Smith left the pitch following an injury and took no further part in the game. Subsequently Beccles had to re-organise with Ali Foreman stepping across to centre, and Coral Moore moving from right forward to left midfield with substitute Christine Muttitt coming onto the forward line.

Beccles got of to a tremendous start in the second half, opening the scoring after five minutes through Coral Moore. Coral had an admirable game throughout and continues to progress every game.

However the lead was short lived as Denver struck back within minutes when Laura Shreeve broke and scored following a one-on-one with the Beccles keeper.

A superb piece of passing saw Beccles take the lead again midway through the second half. Lorraine Calver took the free hit to Carol Maycock, who fed a lovely ball into the D for Christine Muttitt to slot home, following an excellent decision by the umpire to play advantage.

Beccles held onto their lead for a while. Then Denver's shot was covered by the keeper but took an unfortunate deflection from one of the Beccles defenders which levelled the score at 2-2.

Denver struck again when a counter-attack was nearly blocked at the halfway line. Unluckily the ball spun off the player's stick and Laura Shreeve picked up the stray ball, sprinted towards goal and with only the keeper to beat struck a well placed shot from the edge of D to give Denver the lead for the first time with only seven minutes remaining.

Beccles tried desperately to get a point and were unlucky as they did get the ball in the goal but the whistle had gone for a foul.

Beccles did not convert the resulting penalty corner and then the final whistle blew meaning all their mammoth efforts went unrewarded.

This week Beccles are at home to Watton Colts 10.30am start.