Leicester Hockey Club

As we move towards the business end of the hockey season things continue to look good for Leicester. On Saturday, the first team entertained last year's runaway champions, Bowdon Hightown and emerged as 5-0 winners. Bowdon had their moments, particularly when Leicester took the collective foot off the pedal midway through the second half but their season was summed up when a Leicester error put the normally deadly Tina Cullen through and she shot miles wide. Instead it was all about the Leicester sharp shooters: Beckie Herbert set off the scoring in the 4th minute and this was soon followed by Hannah MacLeod's 47th League goal in a Leicester shirt. With Leicester well on top Crista Cullen saw a drag flick well saved but before half time a quick adjustment of feet at another penalty corner saw the ball roofed beyond the keeper's left hand.

In the second half Bowdon created some moments of danger but Leicester clicked when it mattered, Chloe Rogers' through ball deceived the keeper and a slightly fortuitous defection by MacLeod made it 4-0. Leicester's 5th near the end was a classic team goal. A Bowdon shot was kicked out by Maddy Hinch and a quick break was launched. The ball was on the edge of Bowdon's circle in a flash and when Herbert laid the killer ball across goal Cullen had raced up and dived full length to nudge it home.

With 12 games gone and 12 won Leicester holds an 8 point lead over Reading. Next week's opponents are Clifton whose lowly League position belies the ability in the side.

Leicester 2nds moved into joint second place in Midlands Premier with a very good 4-1 win at Olton 2nds. Kate Sharland led the way with 2 goals and was joined on the score sheet by Nicole Main, returning after a year out with ligament damage, and Phillippa Wain.

Leicester 4ths returned to form with a 4-0 win against Lutterworth 2nds. Abi Williams scored a lovely goal, rounding the keeper, Sandy Yeates chipped in with two goals and Sarah Treanor, on a break from keeper's duties, slotted home the fourth. 

On Sunday the club U16 side travelled to Sutton Coldfield for  a match in the last 16 of the U16 England Hockey Cup. After a few tentative exchanges Leicester took control with Carmen Simpson powering home the first of her 3 penalty corner goals. When the Sutton keeper saved another Simpson strike Polly Sedgwick was on hand to hit home the rebound and Abi Lester rounded off the first half goals, scoring well at the second attempt.

Two more Simpson drives were followed by a neat 6th from Lily Bridgwood. Leicester now go into the hat for the quarter finals to be played on 7th March.