Garstang battle to hard-earned draw against Penrith

Garstang Hockey Club second team and Penrith were just a place apart in fourth and third place respectively in the table ahead of the match and they proved to be two very well-matched sides at Garstang Community Academy.

Early in the first half Garstang made a good D entry via a Livy Cottam run up the left wing.

After five minutes Penrith got a shot on goal but Keeper Caz Magill booted the ball clear. Four minutes later Penrith won their first corner and a well-rehearsed pair of quick switches needed a class diving stick save by Magill on her left post.

Penrith poured on the pressure and the Garstang defence fought hard. Eventually Issy Wright and Anna Whittle gained a foothold in the centre and play became more open with both sides making and defending breaks up field.

After 13 minutes, Anna Whittle made a strong break and her through pass found Sam Evans who came near to getting round the Penrith keeper.

Issy Wright was running at tremendous pace and trying to link up with Lucy Treaddell and Evie Parkinson. Jenny Shepherd joined the fray and won Garstang’s first corner after twenty-eight minutes. Unfortunately, Anna Whittle miss hit her shot under pressure.

After thirty minutes, Shepherd fired in one of her trade mark reverse stick shots. The keeper knocked the ball forward and Jenny following in hard again struck her pads.

Garstang’s passing and movement improved markedly and they took the battle to Penrith. Evie Parkinson was unlucky not to score from some good breaks but a crowded Penrith defence held her at bay.

With seconds to go Penrith made a central break and a forward miss hit a shot from the top of the D. The pace and bounce deceived Keeper Magill and the ball crept under her going to ground. A few seconds after the goal the umpire’s whistle went for half-time.

At the start of the second half, Garstang came out aggressively and had an early scoring chance.

After seven minutes, Treaddell made a good attack up the centre and passed to Evie Parkinson just inside the D catching the Penrith defence out of place.

Evie went past the keeper but was just unable to get enough purchase on the ball to guide it inside the right post. A minute later Penrith struck back and won a repeated corner.

Magill made a lofty clearance kick and the umpire ordered a second corner. Garstang attacked well and won a similar pair of corners with Treaddell coming in at real pace.

Treaddell struck a sweet shot from the top left of the D in the aftermath that went just inside the left post to make the scores even at 1-1.

This was a tremendous game of ladies’ hockey with both teams running at pace and absolutely determined to fight hard.

Garstang had somewhat less of the ball but their pace and defensive skill were a match for a really strong Penrith side. They go down to fifth place one point below Wigton who face strong opposition in their last game. This game puts the seal on a great Garstang recovery after a poor start to the season.