South Lakes Ladies 2 Preston Ladies 6

GOALKEEPER Gayle Mawdsley suffered a bad knee injury which has left her on crutches as South Lakes’ quest for a first win of the season goes on.

In a game full of goals and drama, there was a 45-minute delay seven minutes from the end as Mawdsley had to be stretchered off the pitch.

Prior to the delay, it had been a game of two halves, with Preston largely dominating the first, before an impassioned team-talk at half-time saw a fired-up South Lakes side return to the pitch.

Preston scored two quick goals early in the game and continued to apply a great deal of pressure, which was absorbed by Mawdsley, supported by Lesley Davey, Rebekah Nuttall, Vikki Edgar, Suze Armstrong and Cat Cooke. However, the goal tally for the away team was doubled and they went into half-time 4-0 to the good.

Rather than rolling over, the hosts were determined to take the fight to Preston and the introduction of Gemma Jupp up front, supported by Natalie Knowles, Sarah the versatile Cooke, saw them mount a fightback.

Rebecca Cook and Holly Nuttall worked tirelessly in midfield and began to break down the Preston play.

A lovely interchange between Cook and Cooke caused the visiting defenders problems, and the loose ball fell to Pam Robertson, who slammed it into the goal.

South Lakes were then awarded a short corner, which was worked around the defence and again Robertson found the back of the net – but this time the goal was disallowed as the umpire had blown for another short corner.

However, the home side continued to press and were awarded yet another short corner, which captain Holly Nuttall buried.

Knowles was unlucky not to make it 4-3 when she intercepted a Preston pass and took on the keeper, who made a fine save. The South Lakes purple patch was cut short when Preston once again found themselves with a short corner, which was brilliantly deflected past Davey’s head on the line.

It was during the award of another short corner that Mawdsley sustained her injury.

With the score 5-2 and only seven minutes to play, Preston asserted their right to play out the game.

Cook stepped up in goal and made a fine save, however her clearance found a South Lakes foot and the resultant short corner saw Preston make the score 6-2.

The result leaves South Lakes still seeking their first win of the season and at the bottom of the Northern Hockey League North Division Two. They travel to Liverpool University on Saturday. The team thanked Colin Cameron and Mags Mawdsley for umpiring.

l Anyone interested in joining South Lakes or attending a ladies or men’s training session can find more information online at www.southlakeshockeyclub.co.uk or search for South Lakes Hockey on Facebook.