SATURDAY 28TH JANUARY 2017

But the reds were focused and started the game with a high tempo and a high press putting the visitors under pressure. The midfield of Alice Marsden, Josie Rice, Jude Chapman and Reb Worthington were linking well with Fran Summers and Gemma Trickett on the forward line. The first chance came in the first 10 minutes when Summers fed Rice in front of goal only to see her shot go wide. Another two clear-cut chances came and went with the score still sitting at 1-0.

The introduction and impact of pacey Kiery Horne was immediate when she latched onto a fantastic aerial from an in-form Di Roe right on the baseline. She crossed in for Summers to finish with a first touch shot.

The students responded well and dominated the next 15 minutes and made this domination count when they converted a turnover of possession in the midfield and finished a neat penalty corner routine making it 2-1 at half-time.

Unfortunately for the reds the university began where they left off and controlled the play for the next 15 minutes forcing turnovers and pressure inside Garstang’s D. This pressure led to numerous penalty corners, two of which they converted with neat deflections on the post, 4-1.

Finally this scoreline seemed to provoke Garstang and they notched it up a gear once again. Di Roe was making inroads from the right and playing some dangerous high balls in. Captain Donna Richardson was having the game of her season so far thwarting any more attacks with experienced and solid tackles and subsequently creating forward play.

In the final quarter Garstang again created openings for themselves along with set pieces but they were rushed and did not make them count. Ultimately this cost them the game and they need to re-group and re-focus for Lancaster 1s at the weekend.

Player of the Match – Donna Richardson