RELEGATED HORSHAM START NEW SLAZENGER SEASON IN STYLE by Peter Savage

The Slazenger England Hockey League started the 2007-2008 season today with a full programme in the Women’s South and North Divisions.

Intriguing amongst the pairings was the match between newly promoted Taunton Vale and relegated Horsham in the South. Last season Horsham hardly had a sniff at any points, whilst Taunton Vale’s promotion is evidence of a successfully fought campaign. The Horsham line-up look very different to last year’s, although still with some familiar faces, and Taunton Vale opened the season without the pick of their first choice eleven.

The newcomers come into the EHL with a reputation for a fairly robust defence, and so it proved in the opening encounters of the two sides. Some very confident passing of the ball at the back under pressure showed that the West Country team were going to be a difficult nut to crack. But cracked they were after 33 minutes, with Kate Kaye opening Horsham’s account from open play. Horsham settled down to some spirited play in the second half, with Erica Rogers (pictured) causing the Taunton defence a number of problems on the left and Fran Crossley harrying the defence on the right. It was Crossley who was the beneficiary of an inspired advantage played by umpire David Adams four minutes into the restart, netting the ball to give Horsham a two goal lead. Seven minutes later Rogers had a fine solo run to see her shot from the edge of the circle find the goal. Final score 3-0 to Horsham. Despite defeat, Taunton Vale did not seem overawed by the experience and they may well prosper at this level. Horsham will be relieved to open their 2007-2008 campaign in fine style. They have already amassed almost half as many points as they achieved last season and a win on the opening day of the season will boost their confidence for the campaign ahead.

Elsewhere in the South Division, Staines made a profitable visit to Swansea and came away with three points and a goal advantage of plus four. This puts them at the top of the table. Other clubs that recorded wins were Exe, Sevenoaks, Bournemouth, and Maidstone.

In the North Division, Liverpool Sefton started their season in fine style with goals from Natalie Wray (2), Fiona Harland, Debbie Mills, and Laura Brown in their 5-1 win over Sheffield Hallam. Whitley Bay and Tynemouth’s Kath Smith scored a hat-trick in her side’s 4-3 win over Nottingham Highfields, and South club Rover Oxford, recently promoted to the North Division, found the visit of Ben Rhydding not to their liking. Having gone into the second half with a 2-0 lead they were pegged back by first a penalty stroke and then two penalty corner conversions to leave the final score at 3-2 to the visitors. Cannock and Bradford Ladies also recorded wins, whilst the match between Cambridge City and Aldridge ended in a draw.

PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE HORSHAM v TAUNTON VALE MATCH WILL APPEAR ON OUR MAIN WEB SITE SOON - www.talkhockeyradio.co.uk