Ladies 2s take on top of the league Blueharts

The ladies 2s played the unbeaten Blueharts this week in a top of the table clash. Leighton started the stronger team, with the midfield of Katie Jackson and Chrissie Dixon holding strong in the first few minutes to stop Blueharts in their tracks. Leighton pushed forward, using both wings, wingbacks Emily Smith, Gemma Jones and Chloe Alecock working hard up the lines. Leighton won early short corners which were unfortunately stopped by the Blueharts keeper. The game settled into end to end hockey, all Leighton players pushing hard to ensure that Blueharts did not get through. A Blueharts break saw them push into the D, and following a wild swing that remained unseen by the umpires put the ball onto the backboard to take the lead. Leighton strengthened from this, and held Blueharts at 1-0 till halftime. Leighton continued to press hard, forwards Clare Farrow, Sharon Avola, Lucie Webster and player of the match Sarah Ayres moving to find the space needed to give opportunities to the team. Blueharts fought back, and managed to score a second. Until the end of the match, defenders Andii Chandler, Suzy Mounter and Sally Retford held firm, with Mounter deflecting a short off the line and keeper Amber Kelly juggling the ball in mid air to hold the score. Unfortunately, Leighton conceded a short corner on the final whistle, which was converted by an unstoppable strike to leave the scoreline at 3-0. Leighton are now looking to return to winning ways next week, and take confidence from the standard of hockey they played as the second leg of league fixtures starts