Bedford hit Saints for six
BEDFORD HOCKEY CLUB LADIES 6 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 2
Friendly
Bedford Ladies completed their preparations for the second half of the season with an impressive 6-2 victory against local rivals Northampton Saints, who currently sit bottom of the National League North division.
With Nic Pether and Maya Thrasher unavailable, there was a debut for new Dutch signing Yvette Van Yperen who joined over Christmas from Craeyenhout HC. In addition, Clare Stacey was recalled to the squad and Anna Martin and Leanne Sargeant shared the match in goal.
Bedford started the game brightly, playing at a high tempo, which was a big improvement on the previous match against Boots, which saw Bedford defeated 4-2.
There was good movement and interplay between the forwards early on as Sherri Skene stamped her authority on the match in the centre of the midfield with a bullish display of strength.
With Northampton also pressing the play high, the Bedford defence of Eli Priston, SJ Darrington and Sarah Walsh needed to transfer the ball at pace to alleviate pressure, which they did with great accuracy, allowing Bedford to break quickly and incisively.
The opening goal arrived inside 10 minutes when captain Kate Costin turned away from a defender in the circle before hitting a snap shot which went straight through the keeper.
Bedford continued to play a high tempo passing game and Costin's interception and pass set up Fran Lee who took the ball in her path, went round the keeper and calmly stroked the ball home to extend Bedford’s lead.
When Van Yperen was introduced, her impact was immediate with some great stick skills in the D and fantastic shot into the bottom left hand corner which oozed class to give Bedford a three goal advantage. The new signing struck an immediate understanding with Katherine Winger in the centre of the midfield as Saints struggled to create chances with Stacey and Priston making any necessary tackles before the Bedford circle.
Mason nearly added to the total midway through the half as Bedford dominated but their keeper smothered well. However, she was hapless to stop player of the match Skene’s shot moments later – the goal capped a marvelous first half display from the South African.
Firmly in the driving seat, Bedford unfortunately let their concentration waiver and Saints sensed a glimmer of hope when they scored off a short corner. Bedford then allowed a lack of communication to be costly moments later as Northampton crept further back into contention with a strike past Martin so the half time break came at just the right time for the team in maroon.
After the break Bedford again played some nice attacking hockey with Jenna Maclaren, Kelly Bingham and Rebecca Louise Childs on the flanks, always looking to get on the ball and break forward.
Van Yperen capped a great debut with her second goal of the game as she weaved through the Saints defence and dinked the ball over the keeper on her reverse side.
Saints didn’t create much going forward but it was a tight midfield battle with possession far more even between the teams in the second 35.
With just minutes to play, Bedford added a sixth goal as Natalia Norford roofed a cross after a fine team move involving a number of players.
Bedford will take confidence from their display ahead of a double header against Dereham and Cambridge University this weekend, with six points up for grabs.
