TBC

TBC

Bracknell Ladies continued to build on their confidence from the previous weekend, in a hard fought game against Wokingham, away at Cantley Park. Bracknell started strongly, and maintained good possession throughout the first half, creating a number of opportunites to put points on the board. Eventually, a well won short corner by Kelly Lockyer, and a fast and accurate injection from Hilary Westwood created the straight stike opportunity for Sam Hall to score. Bracknell kept their heads, and some tight marking across the back from Katherine White, Fiona Lewis, Jane Theodolou, Sarah Grindlay and Bev Randall kept Wokingham from scoring. The second half brought a period of pressure on Bracknell, with Wokingham being awarded short corners, but an excellent defensive effort from Girl of the Game, Alice Randall, helped absorb the pressure, and put pressure on a key mid-fielder for Wokingham. Overall, a well fought game by Bracknell, deserving of the 3 points.

In the second game of their double header weeknd, Bracknell Ladies 2's built on the confidence that their win against Newbury had given them the day before. They went out strongly in the first half determined to give as good as they got in their clash with the top of the table. The first half saw a number of scoring opportunities created by Bianca Chalk, Kerry Deans and Alice Randall, who showed great pace down the wings, and the skill of Centre Foward Kelly Lockyer forced a number of penalty corners. Man of the Match,Fiona Lewis, ensuring she was on the back post, resulted in the only goal of the game. Terrible weather set in just before half time, but Bracknell's spirits would not be dampened. Some great marking across the back four, Bev Randall, Sam Hall, Katherine White and Rebecca Yeomans and a huge effort from Goal Keeper Yellie Powley, meant Brackell defended a number of penalty corners given against them, and narrowly evaded a flick.
Nonetheless, a great result for Bracknell Ladies 2's and a great weekend of hockey!

After a recent run of poor form, Bracknell Ladies 2nd XI had it all to play for this weekend. This, the first of 2 league games scheduled for the weekend, was a crunch game against the bottom of the league. After a shaky start against a depleted Newbury side of 10 players, Bracknell went into the half time break 1-2 down. Thankfully, a strong team talk from coach Sean Hardingham, and a well needed injection of pace from the Bracknell midfielders and forwards, Bracknell came back out fighting. A well worked free hit lead to a goal for Sweeper Jane Theodolou, followed by a number of opportunities which lead to a hat trick for Kelly Lockyer, including a show boat reverse stick lift for one. Bracknell pulled together, showing a huge team effort, and put the right result on the board for the first time since Christmas. Well played by all, and Man of the Match for Kelly Lockyer. This should help to lift the team away from the relegation zone that they so deserve to avoid.

Bracknell Ladies started off strongly with Kelly Lockyer (joint girl of the game) scoring a well-deserved goal after 5 minutes of promising play.  There were moments of inspirational hockey from the mid-field and attack. Jane Theodolou (joint girl of the game) and Bev Randall (joint girl of the game) provided a strong wall of defence but unfortunately against the run of play, Oxford Ladies managed to equalise mid-way through the first half making the score 1-1 going into half-time.
 
Having had an encouraging talk from Captain Samantha Hall, Bracknell was determined to score again but to their disappointment mid-way through the second half, Oxford Ladies made a fast break and managed to score another goal. Bracknell kept their heads held high but Oxford made a few quick passes managing to score their third and the final goal of the game.

After a great game last week against Maidenhead, Bracknell were up for the challenge against Phoenix Ranelagh.
 
The game started slowly with Phoenix taking the upper hand and scoring in the first ten minutes. Some solid marking in the Bracknell defence kept the ball away from Alice Randall, who had a great game and showed some real promise in her 2nd outing as goalie. The Bracknell midfield, supported by Emma Cox and Kelly Lockyer, put Phoenix under  real pressure and kept possession for the rest of the half. Bracknell were unlucky not to score, being prevented by the large number of Phoenix players in the goal area.
 
After half time both teams appeared to be tiring but Bracknell kept the pressure up, resulting in  more shots on the Phoenix Ranelagh goal but keeping their own goalmouth safe. The game ended 1-0 to Phoenix Ranelagh, a score which didn't reflect the amount of possession or threat Bracknell showed in the game.

TBC

Bracknell Ladies 2s went into todays league game with great determination to improve on their league status.  Bracknell started strongly and stamped their mark on the game with most of the possession working the ball through Midfield and up front.  Although very few strikes on Goal, Bracknell worked the play well and soaked up some Reading Possession.
 
Great marking in defence by Sarah Grindley and Bev Randall, prevented Reading from making the most of their chances.  Midfielders Emma Cox and Kelly Lockyer worked
extremely hard and kept Reading at bay making some superbly strong tackles. Unfortunately, Reading broke through the defence towards the end of the first half
and scored from a shot at the near post, against the run of play, to make it 1-0 at half time.  Reading came out more determined in the second half and took the game to Bracknell.  Reading took advantage of some early pressure and made it 2-0 in the same fashion as they did their first.
 
Bracknell were not disheartened and kept up their fantastic work rate, which prevented Reading any further scoring chances.  Some neat stick work in midfield
from kelly Lockyer threatened the Reading defence and provided Bracknell with some hope.
 
Bracknell can take many positives from this game against top of the league in the hope to improve on their league status.

This week Bracknell Ladies 2s got off to a quick start against Milton Keynes 2as. The team scored within the first 5 minutes from a short corner conversion by Hilary Westwood, which followed some great attacking play down the right wing by Fiona Lewis. However, MK fought back hard and serious confusion in the Bracknell defence led to a number of errors and the team conceding 4 goals.
In the second half, with a more organised and familiar formation, the ladies started to work as a team again. Skilful play from midfielders Bianca Chalk and Kelly Lockyer led to a well-deserved goal from Helen Goodall.  MK kept up the  pressure on Bracknell, with some very aggressive play, however the home side defence fought really hard to maintain a clean sheet in the second half, with some amazing saves from both goalie Hayley Oliver and defender Charlie Clark. 
The final score of 4-2 was a disappointing result which didn't do justice to the hard work the team put in to try and turn things round.

After a thoroughly enjoyable Christmas break, the Bracknell 2nd XI were looking forward to getting back on the pitch, and had an enthusiastic start to their away game at Beaconsfield High School. They started strongly, with great team work leading to the majority of the possession in the first 15 minutes. Great creative play from defenders Sarah Jane Grindley and Fiona Lewis meant that Bracknell were able to creat a number of scoring opportunities in the first half, with strong follow up from the forwards leading to a number of penalty corners. However, a strong Gerrards Cross defence, and some fantastic saves from their keeper kept the score 0-0 at half time. After half time, Gerrards Cross predictably came back strongly, knowing the 1 point difference in the league table was at stake. 2 quick goals set them ahead. Bracknell took some time to re-settle, but played with positivity, and continued to create scoring opportunites. Caroline Apsey soon capitalised on the hard work of  the team, bringing Bracknell back into the game with 10 minutes to go. Overall, a hugely passionate effort from all 14 players in the Bracknell squad but a disappointing result in a 2-1 defeat.

In the final league match before Christmas, Bracknell Ladies had a crunch game for league points against Banbury. Having hovered just above the relegation zone for several weeks, it was crucial that Bracknell put some points on the board before the Christmas break. Bracknell got off to a shaky start, with their first 15 minutes leading to the defensive team of Sarah Jane Grindley, Charlotte Clarke, Bev Randall and Alice Randall absorbing a lot of pressure from the Banbury forwards, and requiring some great saves by the Bracknell Goal Keeper, Hayley Oliver. Thankfully, Bracknell settled into their game, and with great compoure from Helena Wells (Man of the Match) and Emma Cox at Centre Midfield, the first goal scoring opportunity was created, with a superb deflection into the top right corner of the goal from Caroline Apsey. As predicted, Banbury came back strongly, and soon drew level. After half time, Bracknell came back with renewed determination to put 3 points on the board, and some great creative play from Kelly Lockyer lead to a one on one with the Banbury keeper, which Kelly converted with her usual calm and accurate approach. All in all, a great team effort from Bracknell, putting them in a far better league position for their return after the Christmas break.

A determined start by Hilary Westwood resulted in an amazing early goal  for Bracknell to go 1-0 up. Unfortunately Marlow replied within minutes to even the scores. In the second half a lucky break from Marlow made the score 2:1 despite spectacular play by Alice Randall which gave her the 'girl of the game'. One more goal from Marlow made the score 3:1, leaving Bracknell disappointed and in the dangerous area of the relegation zone with one game left before the Xmas break.

TBC

It is sad to report that the recent run of poor form for the Bracknell Ladies 2nd XI continued this weekend, in our bottom of the table clash against a recently strengthened Newbury and Thatcham. Both teams urgently needed to put points on the board, but despite some excellent progess in match preparation, it was not to be Bracknells' day. Bracknell started strongly, with great posession from the whistle, and defenders Fiona Lewis, Bev Randall and Helen Goodall absorbing any pressure coming their way. It was sad to see an uncontrolled short corner strike see Helen Goodall taken to A & E with a suspected fractured cheek bone. Bracknell came back from this with fresh determination, and with strong performances from Emma Cox and Kelly Lockyer through the middle,  saw a 0-1 half time score. Bracknell felt they could come back to win the game, and created several great opporutnites in the second half, but unfortunately failed to score off several short corners, a nd numerous other open play opportunities. All in all, a strong performance, down to eleven players, but the failure to score any goals cost us the game.

TBC

Injuries seemed to plague Bracknell's 2nd eleven on Saturday, leading to a 3-0 defeat against Phoenix Ranelagh in their latest Trysports league game.  Phoenix took an early 1-0 lead from a short corner and despite stirling efforts from 'girl of the game' Caroline Apsey, Bracknell failed to equalise by half time.  Phoenix continued to put Bracknell's defence under pressure in the second half.  Newcomer Catherine White worked hard to challenge the opposition but Phoenix soon took their lead further with a second goal scored during open play.  Bracknell's hopes were dashed when a goal scored by sweeper Sarah-Jane Grindley from a short corner was disallowed.  Helena Wells and Yasmine McMahon fought hard to the end to give Bracknell the goal they deserved but it was not to be.  The Ladies 2s are more determined than ever to move up the league table and look forward to giving Rover Oxford a 'run for their money' next Saturday!

After Wednesday night training being cancelled due to a frozen pitch, Bracknell knew they had to work harder as a team to work in the positions they were placed. Opposition for this week were Wallingford 2s, who currently play in the league above us. As this match was a friendly, it was the perfect opportunity to slicken up all the partnerships that were begin to show in games previous to this. 
As expected Wallingford began the game strong, and with a fairly quiet start to the match Bracknell conceeded an early goal. Keeping their heads up, the girls fought on, and a good passing game came to play. With the help of Susie Hardingham providing some key structure at the back with the ever hardworking Bev Randall, Fiona Lewis, Alice Randall and of course Hayley Oliver, a wider game was played. Some key partnerships began to show through up front with midfield providing some excellent balls for our forwards to play on to. SuperSub Yaz was unlucky to not put her name onto today s score sheet with some excellent deliveries from Caz Apsey, Kelly Lockyer and Keely Chalk. As the heavens opened half time was well needed.
With a clear boost in team moral needed, Bracknell had one of their most emotional team talks to date. With clear talent in the side, frustration had been showing through due to the new positioning of players on the pitch. As ever though Bracknell came out with their renewed confidence and energy, and provided their ever faithful  BHC  supporters with a slick 2nd half performance that was unlucky to not be rewarded with some goals. With Becca Yeomans, Hilary Westwwod, Bianca Chalk and Sam Hall, providing some brilliant movement on the right wing, equally matched by efforts on the left side, Bracknell left the pitch a little soggy but extremely proud of their efforts. Girl of the match was Becca Yeomans, who provided a big turn around in performance to that of her first half, showing growing confidence that was matched by her team mates. As for next weeks league match against Phoenix and Ranelagh, all I can say is BRING IT ON!

After last week s disappointing result Bracknell Ladies 2 s went out with a fighting spirit against Maidenhead this week at Bracknell Leisure Centre. The match started strongly with Bracknell working hard trying to break down Maidenhead s defence. With great movement and communication between Bracknell s midfielders and forwards from Caroline Apsey and Helena Wells. 
It was still 0-0 by half time and Bracknell knew Maidenhead would come out attacking in the second half and true to form they did. Bracknell answered back and pushed hard, defending many attacks on goal with excellent defensive play by Fiona Lewis, Charlotte Clarke and Sarah-Jane Grindley at the back. Girl of the Game, goal keeper Hayley Oliver, played fantastic keeping the scores level by deflecting many attacks on goal. However in the last 5 minutes Maidenhead scored from a deflected hit into the right corner and despite Bracknell s brilliant attempts upfront from Kerry Deans and Keelee Chalk they could not equalise.

It was a daunting prospect to travel to Henley to play the current leaders of the league and Bracknell put up a strong and spirited performance though Henley narrowly clutched victory. In their first three games of the season Henley scored 17 goals so Bracknell knew they had a tough match ahead of them. Despite this Bracknell Ladies went out onto the pitch in a confident frame of mind.  Both teams had some early chances due to the open and fast-moving play but only Bracknell managed to execute a goal in the first half.  Kelly Lockyer s fine stick work deflected a magnificant cross by Hilary Goodall on the wing. Hayley Oliver, Bracknell s goal keeper maintained a clean sheet at half time despite persistant pressure from Henley s strong attack including many rebound saves.
Henley clearly wanted to maintain their unbeaten record in the second half and so came out after half time demnostrating the type of play which had put them at the top of the league, resulting in a break back goal early in the second half.  With the score line now even it was anyone s game. Bracknell maintained their high level of play and were justly rewarded by a second goal scored by Samantha Hall who deflected a strike by Helena Wells into the goal from a short corner. Bracknell s defence were immediately put under pressure by the impressive play of the Henley forwards, yet Bracknell s defence, using a set piece, and demonstrated accurate passing around the back to clear the ball from their defending end. Unfortunately Henley made another strong attack which resulted in a goal to even the score line yet again. 
Bracknell s excellent communication kept them in the game especially between Kerry Deans and Caroline Apsey resulting in some close attempts at goal.
Henley came back to score the winning goal despite excellent play in the defence with special mentions to Sarah-Jane Grindley and Fiona Lewis clearing the ball from the D spectacularly throughout the match. Overall Bracknell should be proud of their performance against the league leaders which they ll build on with greater confidence for the rest of the season.

Bracknell Ladies 2nd's found this week hard as they faced a strong opposition with a bare 11 players. Bracknell began the first half determined to score after last week s draw against Milton Keynes. However, the opposition s one- two passing and strong midfield and attack were rewarded with 3 goals despite stalwart defending from Bev and Alice Randall (Girl of the Game), Becky Yeomans and Fiona Lewis.

Bracknell Ladies 2s started off their 2nd league match of the season very strongly, with good communication around the defence and midfield which enabled them to take control of the game from the beginnning. Many 1-2 passes were used to move the ball around the oppositions' midfield and forwards which allowed Bracknell to put pressure on the MK goalie. Some talented ball control was used by Bianca Chalk along the wing which lead to a skillful goal from Hilary Goodall.
 
With a promising start to the match, Bracknells' hopes were high for another goal. Unfortunately, despite excellent defending from Fiona Lewis, Sarah-Jane Grindley and Charlotte Clarke (Man of the Match), Milton Keynes fought back making the score 1-1. Milton Keynes had a goal disallowed in the final 15 minutes causing a sigh of relief from Bracknell.
 
Overall, a quality first half from Bracknell Ladies, making good use of space and players, but a disappointing finish which lead to fair result all round, 1-1.

Bracknell Ladies 2 s had a promising start to the season winning their first Trysports league game 5-1 against Gerrards Cross. 

Bracknell‘s first goal came quickly from a strike by Caroline Apsey. Bracknell s defence battled hard to maintain our 1-0 score line but unfortunately Gerrards Cross were awarded a penalty flick which despite the efforts of goalkeeper Hayley Oliver made the score 1-1. Bracknell retaliated immediately and the 2nd goal soon came from a skilful Kelly Lockyer. 

The second half was not short of action with excellent supporting play from Yazmane Carmen, Sam Hall and Sarah Grindley (man of the match) Bracknell put away 2 further goals from Keelee Chalk and not to be outshone her sister Bianca Chalk made the final score 5-1. 

Bracknell Ladies 2s had their last friendly this week, against Newbury and Thatcham.
Newbury got off to a quick start, getting an early goal. Bracknell s defence then woke up and stepped up their game, however they were unable to prevent 2 more goals, despite great play by mother-and-daughter team, Beverley and Alice Randall.
The team started to work together more, and this was rewarded by several attacking chances. Bracknell managed to convert a long corner opportunity, which was taken by Kerry Deans, to Fiona Lewis, who skilfully dribbled it into the  D  then passed it to Sarah-Jane Grindley who was perfectly positioned to launch the ball, past the goalies head, into the back of the net.
Bracknell kept up the pressure on the Newbury defence, but unfortunately were unable to get another on the score sheet. Just before half-time, the opposition broke away quickly, and in spite of best efforts by sweeper Liz Cushenan, they scored a fourth goal.
The team set out more determined in the second half after a motivating team talk from expert Tracy Castle and new captain Samantha Hall.
There was some good work on the right wing, between Helena Wells and Bianca Chalk, and they were unlucky not to complete this with a goal.
Bracknell s defence held very strong, working very well together, and only 2 goals were conceded in the entire second half.
The final score was 6-1 and the team was very pleased by this (considering Newbury and Thatcham are two divisions above them in the Trysports league) and are looking forward to the start of the season next week.

Bracknell Ladies 2s enjoyed another friendly to begin the hockey season against Aldershot and Farnham. Attempting a new formation with 4 in mid-field, the team took the chance to gel with their new players. Unfortunately there was a missed scoring opportunity by Sarah-Jane Grindley but she quickly recovered to become a pivotal player in midfield alongside Bianca Chalk. By half time Bracknell held the visitors to 0-0.

Even though the defence remained strong for 95% of the second half, with some great saves  made by goalkeeper Hayley Oliver, Bracknell conceded an unlucky goal. The home side kept their heads high and put up a good fighting performance for the rest of the match, not allowing the visitors any further scoring chances. Final score 1-0 to Aldershot and Farnham.