Women’s hockey: Seven heaven is reward for Bangor City teamwork

Women’s hockey

Bangor City 1sts 7
Northop Hall 1sts 1

An excellent team performance from Bangor ensured they recorded a convincing victory.

This was the first of two ladies’ games at Brailsford held on a cool, bright Saturday. Perfect conditions for an exciting game.

The Bangor team included a mix of experienced players and many juniors.

The game was fast paced, and more even than the score suggested, but the exceptional attacking play of Bangor gave them the edge from the start.

Jenna Gallagher opened the scoring on 14 minutes with a phenomenal reverse stick flick into the top right corner of the goal.

However, Northop returned the pressure and equalised within a minute.

Siwan Rees’ bravery, getting in front of a Northop attacking shot, stopped the visitors edging ahead.

Parity did not last long, with a second City goal by Clare Barwood on 17 minutes.

From this point Bangor were able to confidently push ahead, and two further scores by Rees and Gallagher, both from penalty corners, secured a 4-1 lead at half time.

The pressure from Bangor continued after the break. Barwood scored her second goal on 51 minutes, then captain Jax Smith from another penalty corner made it six.

Smith continued to dominate play, this time in defence, preventing Northop getting back into the game.

Even though the Flintshire side were able to break through on a few occasions, Gallagher stopped their efforts and enabled Bangor to attack.

Bangor were awarded several short corners, and it was great to see some fantastic team play and practiced routines leading to scores.

This was true of the last goal of the match and Gallagher’s third of the game.

Player of the match was awarded to Nia Culley, one of the younger players on the pitch.

Her speed, agility and tenacity throughout the whole game created movement and space on the pitch that allowed others to convert to goals.

An excellent team performance from a developing team, and more rewarding even than the score was the way in which the players gelled together.

Anyone interested in joining Bangor Hockey Club (any ages, ability and previous experience welcomed) please contact Rhian Culley 07923 369859

Team: Catrin Parry (GK), Jax Smith (capt), Jenna Gallagher, Nanw Jones, Clare Barwood, Ciara Dodd, Marie Ellis-Williams, Cerys Jones, Siwan Jones, Siwan Rees-Williams, Mared Jones, Nia Culley, Emilie-Jo Griffiths and Lottie Pleasant.

Report: Lottie Pleasant