Leeds Hockey Club lose out again as penalty corners prove decisive

With last week's result still fresh in their minds, Leeds Hockey Club Ladies went into Saturday's game versus Brooklands-Poynton with a desire to get their season back on track.
Leeds Hockey Club men's first team on the attack.Leeds Hockey Club men's first team on the attack.
Leeds Hockey Club men's first team on the attack.

The home crowd was behind the girls as they took to the field for this mid-table clash, and the first half produced a tight and competitive game of hockey. As the teams looked for an advantage, the goalkeepers at both ends were called into action numerous times but were able to keep the scores goalless.

It was the visitors who managed to break the deadlock, some great movement and passing creating a goal in the first three minutes of the restart.

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Leeds, determined to get back on level terms, pushed forward and forced Brooklands to play possession hockey, as their opportunities began to dry up.

Against the run of play, Brooklands mounted a quick counter, forcing a penalty corner as a shot hit a defender’s foot in the ‘D’.

This season has seen Leeds Ladies struggle on occasion with this type of set-piece, and, unfortunately, this week was no exception as they were unable to clear their lines and they went two down.

Never a team to give up, however, Leeds fought back and won a penalty corner of their own, with Katie Toogood converting the strike.

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Despite reducing the deficit, a comeback was not to be, as another penalty corner saw the Leeds team slip to a 3-1 defeat.

Prior to the Men’s first XI hosting University of Nottingham on Sunday, the teams lined up to hold a minute’s silence in remembrance. Leeds Hockey Club have a strong link with Hockey for Heroes, who raise money for ex-servicemen and women by exhibition games and charity events throughout the year.

The men’s game started at a furious pace, with probing attacks from both squads trying to find a weakness.

Chances were created and missed at both ends, as the teams put on a display of hockey that showed just how much the league means to these clubs.

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With neither team able to get that elusive goal, it looked like the spectators were going to witness a hard-fought draw.

That was until a penalty corner was awarded to Nottingham, with less than a minute left. Knowing this was going to be their last chance, the University pushed their whole team forward and a strike by Ben Stevenson broke Leeds hearts giving Nottingham a victory with what turned out to be the last hit of the game.

Leeds Hockey Club results in full: Men’s 1sts 0 University of Nottingham 1; Men’s 2nds 4 Ben Rhydding 2; Men’s 4ths 4 Brigg 2; Men’s 5ths 0 Doncaster 1; Men’s 6ths 0 Chapletown 0; Men’s 7ths 0 Wakefield 3; Men’s 8ths 2 Wakefield 0. Ladies 1sts 1 Brooklands-Poynton 3; Ladies 2nds 3 Slazengers 1; Ladies 3rds 5 Pocklington 2; Ladies 4ths 3 Bradford 2.