In contrast to the previous weekend, Clifton Robinsons Ladies’ 2s and Penarth met on a sunny Saturday afternoon for England Hockey League Conference West match. Having met in a pre-season 0-0 draw, the game was likely to be hotly contested. Clifton, looking the likely underdogs with only 12 players matching up to Penarth’s squad of 16, got off to a flying start. Alice Williams scored a goal from a penalty corner – CRHC 1 Penarth 0.
No further goals came for either team in the first quarter but pressure was mounting as Clifton won a number of short corners, albeit requiring a Sophie Trigg penalty flick save to kept Clifton ahead. Clifton held a strong press making it difficult for Penarth to work their way out from the back. Swiftly after the start of the second half, Tilly Edwards scored her first National League goal at the age of 15 from a penalty corner. Clifton 2 Penarth 0.
Just a few minutes later, Tilly Edwards scored her second goal to make it 3-0 to Clifton.
A barrage of attacks from Penarth followed, defended resolutely by CRHC. However 61 minutes in and after defending a number of short corners, Clifton conceded. Harriette Wilcock and Millie Bushnell both scored from a penalty corner, before Gwen Manley added a third with 5 minutes to go to complete the comeback. Both teams held off the pressure and the game ended 3-3. A disappointing result having been 3-0 up, but a point in the right direction nonetheless.
Jade Williams
