Match Reports 06/02/16

8 Feb 2016 by Baz Whitfield

Acomb Mens 1travelled to Burley in Wharfdale to play Ben Rhydding 4 whom they had slotted 10 past in the reverse fixture. The tangerines started strongly but their possession wasn’t rewarded for the first 15 minutes when a routine penalty corner routine was swept in by Matt Dickenson which was quickly doubled when he converted a penalty stroke when Pete Hilton was upended by the keeper. The home side ventured on and the right winger slotted in from close range against the run of play. With 5 minutes remaining in the first half Acomb’s two goal advantage was restored when selflessly, Nick Linfoot passed to Jamie Robinson to convert into an unguarded goal. After the turn round Acomb continued with vast amounts of possession usual starting from Stuart Baxter, although keeper Craig Brown saved well from a reverse stick strike to keep the advantage. This was extended further after 16 minutes when Linfoot and Robinson linked up again for the fourth and Robinson secured another hat trick in the last throws assisted by Owen Wilkie to keep the tangerines in second place in Division 3.

Acomb Mens 2 hosted Halifax 4 at Energise and began with the majority of possession which lead to Rob Ireland opening the scoring. The visitors levelled with 10 minutes left in the first half but the lead was restored almost immediately from a Jonny Brown penalty corner strike. Chances went begging after the break and keeper Martin Grange was at hand to preserve the lead but eventually possession told and the flood gates opened with both Ireland, the tangerines man of the match, and skipper Brown to both get hat tricks in a 6-1 victory.

Acomb Ladies travelled to Slazengers 2 on the outskirts of Wakefield in Division 2in fine form knowing their hosts were just above them in league standings. In a close encounter the tangerines opened the scoring midway through the first half when Hannah Yoward was on hand to sweep home. In a half littered with injuries it was the worse for the tangerines losing midfielder Georgi Wood and the home side took full advantage with two strikes before Yoward laid the ball on to skipper Kerry Woods to neatly convert the equaliser. Acomb defended strongly with keeper Stephanie Barker continuing her fine form behind a rearguard action from Sam Storr, Sally Fairweather and Jane Elsworth. Vicky Wrigley was always a thorn in the home defence and despite each side having a good chance in the closing minutes a 2-2 draw seemed appropriate.