Five-star Bedford down Dereham
DEREHAM 0 BEDFORD HOCKEY CLUB LADIES 5
East Premier
Connie Mason scored twice while Fran Lee, Kate Costin and Becky Childs also netted as Bedford put in a fantastic second half display away to Dereham to start 2012 on a high note in the Women's East Premier.
Leading 1-0 at half time they scored four second half goals without reply in a great team performance.
Bedford settled quickly, on a frosty Norfolk morning, with some early attacks setting the tone for the game keeping the Dereham goalie busy.
Failure to convert these chances saw the match tempo drop after 10 minutes and despite having the majority of possession in the first 35, Bedford couldn't move the ball quickly enough to bypass the home side's over-manned defence.
At short corners Bedford looked dangerous where Katherine Winger and Costin both had shots saved on the line before the opening strike from Lee was chalked off due to an earlier foul. Defensively, Bedford looked strong with Sarah Walsh, Clare Stacey and player-of-the-match SJ Darrington afforded much time and space on the ball.
Shortly before half time Bedford broke the deadlock as Natalia Norford found Mason in the circle and she weaved around a defender and the keeper before sliding the ball home. Moments later Mason nearly doubled the lead but her shot was miscued with the goal gaping.
In the second half Bedford played a much more intensive game, attacking with more pace and purpose. Sherri Skene, who was once again excellent in the midfield, sent in a defence splitting pass to Costin on the right base line and she played the ball across the goal where Fran Lee snapped up the chance to score her tenth goal of the season, becoming the only Bedford first team player since 2007 to reach double figures.
Bedford were still hungry for more goals, playing with freedom and imagination. Midfield general Winger set up the next goal as her superlative long pass found Costin in space and she beat the last defender before striking a reverse stick shot into the goal.
Dereham were offering nothing going forward, and their defence was increasingly being dragged out of position by the Bedford movement and slick one-two touch passing. The Skene, Costin combination then worked again with Mason this time on hand to tuck home the ball after the keeper snuffed out the initial deflection.
Childs cooly scored from the spot, after a deliberate foot on the line in the final five minutes to complete a comprehensive away victory.
