With both teams having being relegated the previous season and both looking to bounce back immediately, some might say this was an early clash of 2 of the division heavyweights.
Bourne Deeping had the better of the opening exchanges; they were awarded a penalty corner after just 2 minutes, and took the lead after 5 with Becky Allam’s off balance strike from close range.
The Dragons kept up the pressure and went close with a supersonic shot which whistled over the bar from a tight angle after excellent running from Laura Thompson-Wright to keep the ball in play on the baseline.
Having enjoyed the better possession for the initial half hour, BDHC then found themselves seriously under the cosh as Ely raised their game and seemed to find another gear. There followed a barrage of penalty corners and the Dragons had to roll with it as they found themselves on the back foot and indebted to some brave running from number one runner Gemma Catlin and some excellent stops from goalkeeper Gaby Taylor as they saw off 6 short corners in quick succession to take their slender lead into half time.
Ely started the 2nd half as they had finished the 1st and again Taylor in the Dragons’ goal was called upon to make a strong glove save to maintain their precious 1 goal advantage. At times quite isolated up front, Thompson-Wright suddenly found herself with the ball at her feet following great work from Carol Murray, and Thompson-Wright showed that she’s electric in front of goal with a smart finish into the bottom corner to double the away side’s lead just 8 minutes into the 2nd half.
If the Dragons had hoped a 2nd goal would kill the game, they were sorely disappointed, and Ely showed their intent not to let the game slide away, seeing a chance flash wide just 4 minutes later. As the game started to open up, a 3rd Bourne Deeping goal from captain Carol Murray settled the away side’s nerves momentarily, Murrays strike a fitting reward for a tireless midfield display.
However with 20 minutes still to play those nerves were jangling again as Ely hit back with a penalty corner which the Dragons could only half clear leaving Taylor no chance with the rebound which was well dispatched into the bottom corner.
As Ely pushed for a 2nd, some enthusiastic tackling brought a green card for the home side and with the extra player advantage, Bourne Deeping were able to hold the ball better and little by little, see out the win 3-1. A gritty team performance to snatch a vital 3 points for Bourne Deeping; excellent individual performances across the pitch, while strong debuts for Sofia Convertino and Sophie Brittain showed there is strength in depth this season.
MOTM Gaby Taylor - crucial saves helped the Dragons weather the storm when the game was in the balance.

Bourne/Deeping Ladies2 (1) v (4) Skegness 1s

Bourne/Deeping started off full of confidence, with the first attempt on goal coming within the first five minutes; the ball missing the goal by a small margin. The game continued at a great pace going back and forth as neither side could keep possession long enough. After what seemed like an age Skegness won a short corner which was initially cleared by Nadine Curtis, unfortunately a Skegness attacker was lurking to slip the rebound past the keeper on the right post to score. This put Bourne/Deeping on the back foot for a time and the team seemed to lose confidence. Skegness were determined to extend their score line and came again at Bourne to be given another short corner. Again Bourne Deeping were quick out of their goal but this time Skegness hit a low hard shot to the ‘keepers left to double their lead. Half time and Bourne Deeping were 2/0 down.
In the second half Bourne Deeping had better shape but still Skegness dominated, scoring two more goals in quick succession. Bourne/Deeping made some changes and this seemed to help; using the width and more pace they began to spend some time in Skegness’ half again. Skegness defended their goal well, keeping the ball clear until finally Bourne Deeping won a short corner of their own and with two minutes to go Cam Braid made a super pass to Nadine Curtis who’s clean strike gave the Dragons some consolation, the game ending 4/1 to Skegness.
MOTM Phoebe Martin – Excellent saves in the BDHC goal

Mens 1sts
BDHC Vs. West Harts 3/10/2015

Today's match up saw Bourne Deeping face West Herts who have recently been promoted to division 1 following a strong finish to last season, looking to make another strong start to their campaign. Recent performances from both sides meant that this was an important fixture to get the ball rolling and make a real impression to the league, and a win would put them in a strong position in the league to be a real force.

The match started with a quick exchange for both sides, as Bourne Deeping struck the post with only a few minutes gone, and the West Herts goal keeper making some important saves from the forwards. West Hearts replied with a strong response and followed suit by hitting the outside of the post; the Bourne Deeping goal keeper also making some notable saves to keep the sides equal. After sustained pressure from West Herts through a long period of the first half, the attacking side were unable to take their chances and put their side ahead. After their sustained period of pressure, West Herts were suddenly on the back foot and having to defend numerous penalty corners with some players penalised with false starts. After a succession of penalty corners Bourne Deeping were able to take their final chance before half time with Stuart Biggs stepping up from the top of the 'D' to make it 1-0 to the home side.

The second half began as frantically as the first with both teams looking to make a composed start. The away side threw the kitchen sink at the home defence and the pressure paid off with the marauding left back slipping through two challenges and slotting the ball home to make it 1-1. With the game left poised for the remainder of the second half and both teams pushing to get ahead, there were chances coming thick and fast for each team. The home side saw a lot more possession of the ball and began to progress through the middle of the park with some of the tactics that were mentioned during the half time talk started to work. After some good work from both wide men from the home side, the cracks in the defence started to show, and with the first penalty corner of the second half, Bourne Deeping took the lead with Stuart Biggs slotting away his second.

With the home side in the ascendancy, chances shortly followed, with a challenge made within the Bourne Deeping half the ball was swiftly spread over to the winger who found a precise pass to the forward and the chance was powered past the helpless keeper to make it 3-1 to the home side. Both of the sides were starting to make errors and energy levels starting to drop in the warm weather. The away side were still causing the home defence problems, creating countless 3v3's in the final third; but couldn't take their chances due to the stalwart performances of the Dragons’ goal keeper and defensive back 3.

With the game coming to a close the home side put the away team to bed with another short corner routine paying off. Stuart Biggs made it 4-1 and a hat-trick with minutes to spare and put the home side firmly on course for their second win of the season. A great win for the home side after a first half which could've seen either side take the win if chances had been taken. Both sides should take a lot of positives from the match, with the amount of chances created. Both teams will look to bounce onto the next game full of confidence after this weekends performance.

Final score -

Bourne Deeping - 4
West Herts - 1

St Neots 1sts (2) V (0) BDHC 2nds

BDHC took a youthful team to St Neots with most of these talented players under 16.
The first 10 minutes for BDHC produced some incredible hockey for a team thrown together at the last minute, and they kept going even when they weren’t getting the bounce of the ball.
St Neots scored against the run of play, but undeterred BDHC carried on the good hockey of passing and moving but resolute defending from the home team denied them on several occasions. BDHC need to learn to go round these old heads not through them. Halfway through the first half St Neots managed to force their way through the defence with a two on one with keeper Joe Wray and scored. Half time came and BDHC started brightly. The younger fitter side was starting to force their way back into the game. Several chances were created but some fine last ditch tackles from St Neots denied BDHC.
This was the theme of most of the second half with the majority of the play taking place in the St Neots half.
No more goals were scored in the second half but BDHC came away from the game rueing their missed chances and must learn quickly that if they want to stay in this league you need to score when you get your chance.
Special mention to Jonny Allen who had a good game and Zak who was man of the match both just 15 years old

BDHC mens 4s (1) @ Cambs City mens 6s (3)

BDHC will look back on this game as one they should have come away with something from. City’s opener was against the run of play, albeit it a smart finish, with the Dragons having started the game in control. Some excellent short passing movements had opened up City on a number of occasions, but the Dragons just could not capitalise.
That’s not to say it was all one way traffic, Jo Gresty and Graham Brewer in the Dragons back line were having to earn their keep with a number of telling tackles and timely interceptions against a lively Cambs front 2. Gresty in particular excelling in an unfamiliar centre back role after more than a year out of the game with a serious back injury.
However, in midfield Nick Teesdale, Mike Gregson, Kev Baker and Andy Sampson were the ever willing runners, scrapping for possession and distributing out to the flanks. It was one such move which lead to the BDHC equaliser, Kev Baker playing a neat 1-2 and driving into the circle before calmly finishing past the onrushing Cambs ‘keeper.
Both teams would probably have been happy with a draw at half time but a combination of slack marking and good poaching skills saw Cambs take the lead just before the half time whistle with what turned out to be the game winning goal.
Bourne Deeping continued to play some good stuff, but as the half wore on, constantly chasing the game saw them lose their shape too often and the game became all or nothing attack and counter attack. Skipper Steve Powell threw himself into the game (literally), but even his direct running could not force another goal for the Dragons and when a rebound chance fell to a City striker in the circle, his drag flick nearly burst the net; Let’s just say Gresty was glad he wasn’t an inch or 2 taller as he would’ve woken up in A&E.
A disappointing loss but nevertheless good experience for BDHC’s youngsters who are quickly learning what it takes to compete at this level.
MOTM – Tied between:
Jo Gresty – excellent tackling and distribution from the centre back.
Kev Baker – Tireless running as always from BDHC’s Mr Dependable, capped with a goal.

Mens 5th’s

A home game this week against St Neot’s 2 and yet another sunny day. The first half was very evenly matched with the half time the score remaining nil nil. The men’s 5th were defending well and had a few opportunities to score, but were guilty of failing to take their chances. The home team came out strong at the beginning of the second half but then conceded their first goal, quickly followed by two and three, the team not staying strong together or marking the St Neot’s team as closely as they should have. The final score was five nil which was disappointing after an optimistic start. Goal keeper Lee Langley was man of the match, as the score could have been a lot worse if it was not for some of his amazing saves. On the positive side everyone defended till the end, with a couple of opportunities again in the second half but not making it count. Roll on next week against our 4th team…