Wimbledom W1s v Clifton Robinson’s W1s at Raynes Park Scholl on 09/11/24
Clifton travelled to Wimbledon after a confidence boosting victory at Sutton Coalfield last week. A win for either side would take them into the top 6 of the England Hockey Women’s Preier Division.
Wimbledon started brightly, moving the ball forward and looking for circle penetrations but the Clifton defence was strong and well-organized meaning chances were few. The best opportunities came for Wimbledon from a group of short corner but again, the Cliton defence held out with one spectacular goal-line save from Welsh International Caitlin Witham. The first quarter passed at 0-0 bit midway into the second quarter Clifton struck to make the score 0-1. Clifton forced a short corner and from the resulting shot a penalty stroke was given as the ball hit the Wimbledon defender on the line. Welsh striker Livvy Lane made no mistake from the penalty flick scored for the second game running.
The third quarter passed with Clifton still leading and Wimbledon pressing for an equalizer but the Clifton defence was magnificent. However, in the fourth quarter a potential victory turned to disappointment with two scrappy Wimbledon goals in last few minutes. Firstly, Becky Manton scrambled the ball home from close range before Sarah Jones, GB Olympic Bronze Medalist and Wales, deflected a shot past Aline de Visser in the Clifton goal.
Although Wimbledon had more of the possession and territory over the 70 minutes, Clifton played exceptionally well, defended superbly and at the end were hugely disappointed not come away from the game with a win or draw.
A big game awaits at Clifton College 12:15 next week against visitors Holcombe.
Clifton: A de Visser, Z Cullum, K Gierak, T Edwards, R Daniel, J Lea, C Ansley, A Mainwaring, P Richards. L Lane, S Davies, SJ Thorburn, J Vardon-Cardy, E Grindal, D Shields, C Witham.