WORCESTER 0 LIVERPOOL 1
AFTER losing 1-0 to Liverpool in the cup earlier this year Worcester Hockey Club's women were out for revenge.
They produced their best performance to date yet still failed to come away with a point.
This was Worcester's first home defeat in over five years and was not by any means deserved.
They started well, winning a penalty corner in the first five minutes. The shot was too high but Worcester managed to keep the ball in the Liverpool half.
With Liverpool on the back foot Kate Draper broke through and flicked the ball at goal beating the keeper. The ball was prevented from going in by a Liverpool defender resulting in a penalty flick being awarded. This hit the post and left Worcester still desperate to score the first goal. At half time it was still 0-0 and Worcester were on top.
After half time Jo Walker came on as a forward after a two-week break due to illness. Becky Handy also came on at centre midfield after Elaine Shepperd was hit in the arm and forced to go off.
The substitutions had an immediate impact on the game helping to win a succession of penalty corners, none of which were converted.
After a Liverpool breakaway Worcester made a rare defensive error which the clinical Liverpool strikers duly punished them for.
Worcester's focus for Saturday's game at Leyland Motors must be goal scoring if they are to take three points. On Sunday Worcester U18s face Cheltenham at Nunnery Wood (12 noon) with several members of the firsts playing and straight after the U15s play Cannock.
WORCESTER 2nds 4 DROITWICH 3
After 10 minutes Droitwich took the lead following a lapse of concentration by the Worcester defence.
Five minutes later they made it 2-0 when they were again given time and space to drive into the 'D' and fire in.
Worcester hit back almost immediately when good work created an opening for Liz George to score. But it was Droit-wich who made the breakthrough and increased their lead to make it 3-1 shortly before half-time.
At half time Worcester made a tactical switch and brought on Jenny Wilkes up front. The change proved effective when interplay between Wilkes and Emily Swinswood gave Julie Harwood time to slot the ball past the keeper.
The scores were level minutes later when the ball was fired across the circle where George was on hand to deflect it in. The final 10 minutes were played at an explosive pace with both teams searching for the winner.
Worcester thought they had it five minutes before time when a shot by Harwood went in off a Droitwich defender, but after initially awarding the goal, the umpires decided the shot was just outside the 'D' and disallowed it. With seconds to go Worcester were awarded a short-corner.
With all the Worcester players up on the edge of the circle, George dragged the ball out perfectly for Pam Gilmore to stop the ball and roll it just inside the 'D' for Jane Game to step up and hit it home.
WORCESTER 3rds 0 DROITWICH 1
Worcester were unable to break down a sturdy Droitwich defence, although they went into the second half confident that it was only a matter of time.
With Worcester pushing forward there was always the chance Droitwich might break. They did just that and put away a tidy goal.
HARBORNE 3rds 5
WORCESTER 4ths 0
Loose marking by Worcester enabled Harborne to capitalise on their greater confidence with two goals after 15 and 25 minutes.
A deceptive shot on goal five minutes later found a space between the keeper's foot and the post to take their tally to three. Worcester then allowed a fourth to reach its target.
Worcester came out more strongly at the start of the second half but suffered for their lack of finishing. The fifth Harborne goal came from a short corner.
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