West Clubs Women’s Hockey League
Sedgemoor Division 1
Burnham-on-Sea 4, Weston-super-Mare 2nds 3

BURNHAM-ON-SEA ladies showed real character to win a real see-saw type of game against another side in the bottom half of the table, with true grit and determination gaining the Blues three vital points.

The hosts started well, with some good possession, and they should have been more than just the one goal ahead at half time.

Amy Edmundson and Kerry Harvey linked well up front with Hattie Lambourne, providing plenty of energy and skill in the attacking third.

The Blues took the lead with a well-worked goal that started at the back, as Sam Course took a quick sideline hit into midfield, finding Sarah Johnson, who in turn pinged it back to Emma Ballard.

Ballard found Louise Peace down the right, and she set Edmundson away for an effort on goal, and although that was saved, Lambourne pounced on the rebound to score.

Apart from a purple patch for the visitors where they had three short corners in a row, Burnham were in complete control and had plenty of chances to double their lead.

None was so glaring as a ‘must-be’ tap-in for Ali Evely at the far post, that their keeper somehow deflected away after she had already saved Edmundson’s reverse strike.

Ballard and Course were strong and assured at the back, and keeper Sian Kelly made some vital saves to maintain her side’s lead.

Burnham had to make some enforced changes at half time but they still managed to score early in the second period.

Harvey’s cross in from the right bounced around in the D, and Edmundson finally bundled it in for 2-0.

The Blues then seemed to take their foot off the gas and Weston scored.

However, it was the award of a penalty flick that then turned the game in the visitors’ favour.

Harshly given for a collision in the D between Course and a Weston forward, the away side took the chance to equalise, and then went ahead straight after to stun the Blues.

They had to pull themselves together and Johnson led by example, channelling the injustice they felt.

Caroline Hunt was influential, too, and turned defence into attack as she won every challenge, while Lambourne was everywhere, spurring the team on and forcing the long corner from which the equaliser came.

Tracey Dunn played the ball into a packed D and, after a bit of pinball, Carly Bush spun and struck it low past the keeper.

This gave the home side the belief they needed to go on and get the victory they deserved.

The brilliant Harvey received the ball from Hunt on halfway and dribbled all the way into the D, before smashing it past the keeper for a goal worthy of winning the game.

Player of the match: Hattie Lambourne

Burnham sit seventh in the table, three points off fifth spot, and this Saturday they go to second-bottom Sidmouth & Ottery 2nds (12.30pm).