Bretforton 3, Marlborough 5

SATURDAY'S match was played at Evesham High School where both teams made a relatively slow start.

However it was Marlborough who took the initiative and made a number of threatening attacks.

The usual defensive suspects of Jane Wheeler, Bobbie Handley, Lorna Beddis and Kate Mitchell managed to keep the forwards at bay.

At the other end of the pitch, the forward line of Sarah Hall and Deb Slatter combined well with the supporting cast of Lisa Workman, Sophie Corbett, Blanche Surman and Julie Hall all working hard but to no avail.

Marlborough broke the stalemate with a goal ten minutes before the end of the first half.

The second half saw more action with the visitors doubling their lead from a well-worked short corner.

It was then Bretforton's turn, again from a short corner routine that saw Corbett fire in an unstoppable shot.

Marlborough immediately hit back with another goal but Bretforton stepped things up with good work from the midfield with player of the match Hall making a number of good runs down the left.

Slatter then forced a second short corner and, after a goalmouth scramble, Workman made it 3-2.

Despite the best efforts of the defence and goalkeeper Vicky Webb, Marlborough increased their lead with two further goals to take the points but only after Wheeler had scored a cracking goal from another excellent set-piece routine.

The match ball was sponsored by the Evesham Journal.

Gloucester 3, Bretforton II 1

SENIOR league debutant Ruth Tisdale scored the only goal and was named player of the match but her efforts failed to bring Bretforton the points.

Saturday's match sponsored by Cotswold Coving and Artex saw the visitors turn round a goal to the good. Gilly Wright saw her shot blocked but Tisdale was on hand to push the loose ball just inside a post.

The solid line that was Bretforton's defence repelled everything Gloucester could throw at them in the first half but a change in home formation turned the match on its head after the restart.

Lovely team play and two quick goals gave the hosts the lead but fine play from Jude Edgehill gave Wright the chance to level only to be denied by last-ditch defending.

Gloucester then caught out their opponents on the break to bag a crucial third after Fiona Baldelli had superbly saved the initial effort.

The losers will be hoping for better fortunes at Ross-on-Wye this weekend.

Bretforton 4, Bidford 0

PLAYING their first season as a regular Sunday side, mixing juniors with more experienced seniors, Bretforton played host to their local rivals Bidford last Sunday.

Fielding five juniors, Bretforton matched their opponents as both sides started well. However, they were indebted to their goalkeeper to prevent Bidford from finding the net.

After some good open play, Bretforton scored their first through Victoria Rhodes and Fiona Jordan added a second before half-time from an excellent short corner routine in tandem with Bobbi Handley.

The second half was just as fast with Fiona Jordan adding a second from another short corner and Ruth Tisdale scored her second senior goal of the weekend after collecting a rebound off the keeper and slotting the ball just inside a post.

Bretforton face Campden at Evesham High School on Sunday.