Crucial win for Ladies 1sts

Rotherham Ladies 1sts 1 - 2 Halifax Ladies 1sts

Scorers : Hartley, Wright

Having lost a series of matches, Halifax travelled away to face Rotherham ladies and get that all important win and 3 points to secure a North league place next season.

Neither side started well, with some poor hockey at times in all areas of the pitch. In a game that was there for the taking, Halifax knew that they were going to have to raise their game to win the match.

At times, Halifax played their normal passing game and got the first goal mid way through the first half. Jo love and Emma Bedford linked well down the left getting the ball into Zoe Hartley who did a quick pass to Emma Crawford who gave it back to Hartley who put the ball in the back of the net.

This gave the away side a lift and started to improve their play. However, Rotherham did pressurise the Halifax defence and were rewarded with a succession of short corners, of which they put one away, even though Love did get a touch to it.

Into the second half, Halifax really worked hard to get another goal which eventually came with about 15 minutes to go, when Lauren Wright powered the ball high into the goal.

With a one goal lead, Halifax were not going to let the home side back into the game. With some gutsy play from the defence, Jane Greenwood being injured during tough tackling and Jo Love stopping a ball on the line and diving to stop another shot going in the net, the score remained at 2-1.

A well deserved 3 points with two matches left to play. Next week Halifax are hopeful to get another 3 points when they face Leeds University at home.