Driffield L2 2 v 0 Hull L2

Glorious sunshine greeted the ladies at the KC Stadium on Saturday where they were playing Kingston-upon-Hull L2’s. Though there was a Tigers game on, the ladies were met by a slightly smaller crowd of supporters consisting of mainly family members and friends!

Having the starting push-back the ladies immediately controlled the game; forwards Kathryn Bumby and Di Levitt working together to make rapid progress up the pitch testing the KUH defence with Lauren Johnstone having a cheeky shot on goal. The home side took the 16 yard hit out but the impenetrable Driffield press brought the ball back into the blues possession and striker, Bumby, found herself heading goal-ward. A Hull defender closed down Bumby’s options forcing a slip to Lauren Dinsdale-Young who was waiting in anticipation on the P-Spot. This fast thinking was rewarded as the ball sailed past the keeper taking the girls into the lead at just 2 minutes into the game.

The play continued and Driffield maintained their strength and unity; the girls worked in pairs to bypass the Hull midfield and found themselves facing the Hull defenders frequently; however, the home side stayed strong, skilfully disarming the blue waves of attack. The relentless nature of this was testing the KUH teams spirit and back-chat to the umpire earned their centre midfielder a green card.

With Hull a player down, Driffield were quick to exploit the gaps and a nasty stick tackle on Captain Jenny Dawson in the D saw Driffield awarded a penalty flick. Lauren DY stepped up to the plate and perfectly placed the ball in the left hand side of the net. This took the girls to 2-0 up with just 3 minutes to go in the half.

The second half saw Hull come out afresh; starting with the push-back they pressured Driffield and a poor challenge saw Lauren DY take her turn on the bench for wiping out a Hull player.

Capitalising on this, Hull tested the defensive line Sophie Watson, Ellen Calder and Helen Holdsworth but they were unphased disarming the attack and clearing the ball back into the attacking half. Any loose shots that were sent towards the goal were met confidently by keeper Becks Lalor quashing any hope of a point for Hull.

The half consisted mainly of end to end hockey pushing the Driffield midfield, Mags Purnell, Beth Dinsdale-Young and Bry Sykes to work hard and assist in building play. Sending the game wide to the wingers, Chloe Rhodes and Lauren Johnstone, the blues maintained their attacking advantage.

As the final minutes of the game played out a number of short corners were conceded by the blues but Hull still failed to convert, the Driffield defence as solid as ever. A quick clearance ball from Calder to Sykes sent on to Rhodes found the blues back up the field and in the attacking D. Locating a foot the whistle blew for a short corner for the away side and for full time.

The Driffield squad circled the D and Beth DY went for a drag flick, unfortunately this went high, narrowly missing the post and the opportunity for an extra point. But, the blue’s walked away from the game with a well deserved win and celebrated with Curly the Caterpillar cake in the changing rooms (other caterpillars may be available).

Next week the ladies play another Hull squad, University of Hull L1’s, 12.30pb at home. With still just 3 points separating 2nd-4th place in the league, every game is crucial and they will be hoping to maintain momentum to battle their way up the ranks.

Full Time Score: Kinston-upon-Hull L2’s 0 - 2 Driffield L2’s

Girlies: Mags Purnell & Lauren Dinsdale-Young