Olton hand out thrashings - Solihull hockey latest - The Solihull Observer

Olton hand out thrashings - Solihull hockey latest

Solihull Editorial 20th Nov, 2019   0

GOAL-HUNGRY Olton & West Warwick recovered from their Durham drubbing by putting five past Sheffield Hallam.

The 5-1 triumph vindicated the harrowing 7-1 reverse in the North East the previous week and pushed the Solihull outfit up to fifth in Men’s Division One North.

A fast start led to Olton taking the lead after 11 minutes from Chris Rawlings’ attempt from open play, though Sheffield quickly hit back with a penalty-corner goal.

It took all of three minutes for the hosts to go back in front through Harry Sherlock, giving Olton a slender lead that would remain until the closing minutes of the third period.




Steve Batten eased the pressure with a third goal on 52 minutes, allowing his side to enjoy themselves for the remainder of the contest and strike twice more through skipper Alex Edmonstone and Chris Beck – who was successful with a late penalty stroke.

A busy weekend lies in wait for Olton, hosting University of Nottingham on Saturday (2pm) and Loughborough Students on Sunday (1.30pm) at Grange Road.


In Division One North of the Women’s Hockey League, a 3-3 thriller was played out between hosts Gloucester City and the women’s first team.

Gloucester’s fourth-minute lead was cancelled out by Alice Conquest’s drive from open play on ten minutes, before a penalty corner provided the hosts with a second of the afternoon.

Sally Walton successfully put away a penalty stroke before half time to ensure the game remained in the balance, only for Gloucester to continue a game-long trend in going in front for a third time after the restart.

Olton threw numbers forward and put the home side under immense pressure, leading to two suspensions for Gloucester players.

With their opponents shorthanded, Kate Brough struck a 66th-minute leveller to earn a hard-fought point.

Olton host basement side Belper on Saturday (noon).

SOLIHULL Blossomfield conceded two late goals to lose 4-2 against Stourport 2nds in Men’s West Midlands Premier.

Despite having to chase the game throughout, Bloss put on one of their most promising displays of the season.

Aamer Chaudhry dragged the ball into the bottom-left corner to bring the scoreline to 1-1 at the break, a goal that was in vain when the visitors re-took the lead from a short corner after half time.

Bloss had salvation when Chaudhry scored a carbon copy of his first, but two goals in the final 15 minutes led to their disappointing downfall.

Harry Mowat was Bloss’ 2nds saviour in a 1-1 draw with Stratford 3rds in South West One, while the ladies’ first team claimed their first win of the season in a 3-1 success at Leicester in Women’s Midlands Division One.

Solihull moved off the bottom of the table with the victory, in a match which they led from the start through Emily Perrin.

Olivia White pulled off a reaction save to keep Blossomfield in front at half time, but was unable to prevent the hosts from scoring in the second half.

Becky Craig’s cross put the ball on a plate for Sam Grew to fire home and put Bloss back in front, a goal which allowed Perrin to smash her second into the net.

The ladies’ second XI remain rooted to the bottom of Division Two in the Warwickshire Womens Hockey League after a 2-0 defeat at Sutton 3rds.

Solihull were on top for the first quarter but quickly lost momentum as Sutton fought back and eventually went in front before the break.

A second followed after the break in a half which the hosts controlled, leaving Bloss winless after eight games.

At the opposite end of the table in Division Three, Bloss’ third string ran out 2-0 winners away to Atherstone Adders 3rds.

Clara Stride’s first-half goal was added to be Karen Coe’s expert finish from a short corner after the restart to keep Solihull’s unbeaten record intact.

Buy Photos

Buy photos online from the Solihull Observer newspaper.

Subscribe

Receive a weekly update to your inbox by signing up to our weekly newsletter.

Reader Travel

Check out all of the latest reader travel offers to get your hands on some free gifts.

Announcements

Weddings, Birthdays, Bereavements, Thank you notices, Marriages and more.