Hockey new year starts well

Evergreens 0, North Walsham Ladies 7

NORTH Walsham Ladies started the new year off with a comprehensive 7-0 win over Evergreens.

The first half was completely dominated from start to finish by a strong, attacking North Walsham Ladies and Evergreens never looked likely to threaten.

Each of the four goals in the first half were swiftly-taken strikes following excellent team build-up play across

the park.

The scoring was decisively opened by Charlotte Else from close range after a quickly-taken sideline hit was accurately crossed into the circle by Julie Mercer, charging up from defence.

Walsham's striker Ellen Vanlint opened her tally for the new year with a well-taken strike, giving the Evergreens keeper little chance.

Right-winger, Sue Gardiner, increased the score-line further following impressive passing play from the Walsham Ladies in the Evergreens circle and captain Nicky Batch completed the scoring before half-time with a resounding shot from an accurate lay-off in the circle by Ellen.

Evergeens came out stronger in the second half to try and even up the game, but never really threatened the Walsham defence, who only conceded one short corner throughout. Walsham extended their lead further when a cutting shot across the circle from Min Tallowin on the right found Lou Catling ready to pounce and beat the Evergreen keeper.

Ellen then scored her second from a superbly executed short-corner strike and Lou added her second with a first-time strike when Fiona Spencer placed a quickly-taken free-hit on the edge of the circle within her reach.

Walsham Ladies have now successfully completed the double over local rivals Evergreens in a competitive league.

Team: Emily Waldron, Jo Hadley, Julie Mercer, Min Tallowin, Nicky Pye, Ellen Vanlint, Jenny Marshall, Charlotte Else, Lou Catling, Fiona Spencer, Sarah Powell, Sue Gardiner.