Dalston Ladies Hockey

Dalston Ladies Vs Ulverston

  27th Sep 2004

  2-0

Following last weeks unlucky defeat a determined Dalston Ladies side travelled to Ulverston for what on paper should have been a testing match. With a mixture of youth and experience, Dalston quickly gained control of the game playing determined and constructive hockey. Piercing runs from Sheila Downie and Kirsty Williamson exerted further pressure and with Rachael Gardhouse and Michelle Armstrong controlling midfield, a first goal for Dalston from Stacey Kane was inevitable. Dalston remained in control but were unable to capitalize on their territorial advantage despite a continuous bombardment of the Ulverston goal.

 Having dominated the first half, Dalston’s well-structured hockey ensured that Ulverston remained firmly on the back foot for the second half. An impressive debut from Tracy Laurie and strong link up work from Laura Clark kept Dalston in control on both sides of the field and a second goal from Sheila Downie was just reward for the hard working Dalston side.  Watching moves practiced on the training ground coming to fruition inspired the Dalston team, but in spite of the sustained pressure, a the third goal couldn’t be found. In the last five minutes of the game, the Ulverston side exerted their first sustained period of pressure on the Dalston defence, who rose confidently to the challenge. The 2-0 result was just reward for an exuberant Laura Cunningham, the Dalston keeper, who had kept her first clean sheet for more than a season.

A new look Dalston side were delighted with their first win in the Cumbria league this season and their performance fully justified the pre-season confidence of their coach Dave Barron.

Dalston: L.Cunningham, L.Clark, C.Davidson, L.Wilson, K.Williamson, M.Armstrong, R.Gardhouse, J.Wilson, S.Downie, S.Kane, N.Burgess, R Hogg, T.Laurie.