SOLIHULL Blossomfield Ladies’ first team are shaping up well for the return of their Midlands Premier Division One campaign after a friendly win at Cannock Seconds.
Goals from Lucinda Dawson and Vicki Shuter earned Bloss a straightforward 2-0 victory in an encounter that always looked likely to get their way.
Shuter troubled Cannock with a strike against the post from a short corner ten minutes in, before her teammate went closer still when Dawson turned home during a scramble inside the D.
While the hosts created some chances of their own to keep netminder Olivia White on her toes, they were unable to restore parity before the break.
Another short corner caused trouble inside Cannock’s penalty area, this time being dispatched by Shuter to seal victory midway through the second half.
In a complete contrast, the club’s Seconds suffered further woe in Division One of the Warwickshire Womens Hockey League.
Bottom-of-the-table Bloss were beaten 4-1 by Warwick’s first team, who are challenging for the title in second, in a one-sided encounter.
Solihull were given a lesson in clinical finishing by the visitors at Lode Heath School, conceding early from open play to allow Warwick to settle into the game and extend their lead with two further goals by the break.
The hosts did improve in the second half and pulled a goal back through Amy McCarthy, although the away side had the final say when notching a final time on the scoreboard.
Promotion-chasing Bloss Thirds were dealt a blow in Division Four after a 2-1 loss against Khalsa Leamington 5ths.
KL took control of the encounter by drawing first blood in the early stages, prompting a positive response from the hosts which paid dividends when captain Mandy Bevins drove a powerful strike into the net.
While the game remained an open affair, it was the visitors who took the points with a winning goal from a short corner late on.
Bloss remain third.
Solihull men’s first team suffered a 3-1 home reverse at the hands of Market Drayton in West Midlands Premier.
While the match itself was a tight encounter, the scoreline suggested otherwise, with Bloss unable to make the most of their first-half chances.
A counter-attack led to the visitors opener, followed by a second from a short corner to leave Solihull with a mountain to climb.
Aamer Chaudhry’s drag flick restored some hope for Bloss, albeit short lived after a deflected Market Drayton goal ended any chance of a comeback.
Bloss stay tenth, with Lichfield 3rds hot on their tails after a 4-0 win against bottom-side Bridgnorth 2nds.
In South West Division One, a 2-2 draw away to West Bromwich Seconds gave Blossomfield Seconds a respectable point.
Tim Horsler gave the visitors the lead with a deflected attempt from a penalty corner, which West Brom cancelled out on the stroke of half-time.
Darren Mansell had to keep Solihull in the game with a string of saves, although he was unable to prevent the hosts from going in front moments after the restart.
Bloss’ search for parity proved successful three minutes from time when Harry Mowat crossed for Andy Rice to place the ball between the ‘keeper’s legs.
Solihull stay in seventh place.
