Festive cheer for excellent Burton

HOCKEY: Burton Ladies firsts were 2-1 winners at North Stafford in their final match before the Christmas break.

- GRAHAM LAMB

Burton started the stronger side but seemed to struggle to find and maintain the energy levels, North Stafford held their shape well across the pitch.

Picking the ball up from defence, Anouska Allsop slotted a well-weighted pass through both their midfield and defensive line over the halfway line into the path of Freya Nicklin. She drew the keeper out and passed the ball sideways to Elizabeth Snelling to score in an empty goal,

Megan Bignell saved a number of attempts on goal, but North Stafford managed to level before halftime.

The game got physical in the second half, but Burton still saw breaks up the pitch and with a well-executed short corner routine, Kirsten Dolman deflected the ball into the back of the net to take the lead again.