Badsey 2, Old Sils II 1

FOLLOWING the loss of several experienced players, Badsey are in the process of rebuilding this year.

However, they started brightly against newly promoted Sils and had much the better of the early exchanges especially in midfield where player of the match Karen Moore quickly imposed her authority, ably assisted by Wendy Hardy.

Up front, the speed of Nikki Wright and Angela Heath caused problems for the visitors' defence and Badsey grew in confidence as the half progressed.

The home side opened the scoring when Zoe Hodgkins latched on to a good long ball out of defence by Jane Rickey and drew a defender before slipping the ball for Wright to net with a reverse sweep.

Badsey continued to play good hockey and pinned their opponents back in their own half for long stretches.

A sustained period of pressure brought a second goal when Kerry Cassey converted a short corner with a super strike.

In the second half, the visitors changed their formation slightly and began to give Badsey more problems and goalkeeper Rachel Leeming a busier time.

The home team tried to keep up the pressure and Laura Moore fund the net only for the effort to be disallowed for an earlier infringement.

Old Sils pulled a goal back midway through the half after which they pressed for the equaliser only to find the Badsey rearguard determined not to surrender their advantage.

The winners travel to Stourport on Saturday for a 12.30pm start.

Training takes place every Wednesday at Evesham High School from between 7 and 8.30pm, new players will be made most welcome.