Kidderminster 3,

Badsey Ladies 5

BADSEY began the new year with a fine win in Saturday's enjoyable friendly.

Despite being a couple of players short at the start of the match, Kidderminster took an early lead following confusion in the visitors' defence.

Badsey, though, were soon on level terms when they were awarded a penalty flick that was converted by Jane Rickey.

Both teams were playing fast open hockey and Badsey took the lead when a ball out of defence found left winger Shelley Banner, whose fine pass enabled Claire Jones to round the keeper and find the back of the net.

The visitors went further ahead before half-time with a super shot from an acute angle by Karen Robinson.

In the second half, the home side, by now at full strength, put the Badsey defence under pressure with some speedy counter attacks and pulled goals back courtesy of two excellent short corner strikes.

However, Badsey restored their advantage with a fine shot from the edge of the circle by Karen Moore, who celebrated her first ever goal.

Shortly before the end, Jones scored her second after a goalmouth scramble following intelligent play by Laura Moore.

Badsey take on Blockley in another friendly fixture on Saturday, before the resumption of league action the following week. Pushback 1.30pm at Evesham High School.