Ladies over 45's Vs Oxford Hawks

Tamworth made the journey to Oxford to play in the first round of the master’s cup on Sunday, only to lose in a dramatic penalty shoot out.  In their first ever masters game Tamworth more than matched their more experienced opponents as they started the game brightly an early opportunity from a penalty corner went inches wide before Oxford opened the scoring after 8 minutes. The town side continued to press forward down both flanks with Paula Cooper and Rachel Rowe on the right and Jo Bryan and Jacqui Casey on the left combining well setting up a number of chances, Di Milner, Sheri Allsopp and Jo Cliffe all had shots well saved by Oxfords in form keeper. A quick break then caught Tamworth out and they found themselves two nil down.  Undeterred by this set back Tamworth continued to play the ball around nicely and were rewarded when Di Milner pulled a goal back to go into the break 2-1 down.

The town side made an early breakthrough in the second session when Fiona Wylie and Rachel Rowe played a neat one-two before Wylie drew the keeper out and slipped the ball to Elaine Foxley to slot home to equalise. Having come back from two nil down and the home side a little rattled Tamworth sensed an opportunity and soon took the lead when Wylie set up Claire Miles whose shot from the top of the ‘D’ gave town the lead for the first time in the match.  Oxford responded well but Sarah Hutchins marshalled the town’s defence and keeper Vicky Butler made a number of good saves to keep Oxford at bay but their pressure finally told and Oxford equalised with 10 minutes remaining.  Di Miner thought she had won the game for Tamworth when her shot was cleared off the line but the game finished all square and penalties would decide who would go through to the next round. 

Into the penalty shootout Miles scored then Vicky Butler saved Oxfords first effort, Milner added a second before Oxford scored with their next two flicks, Casey and Wylie saw their penalties well saved before Captain Rachel Rowe stepped up to score towns third to put the pressure back on Oxford who scored to take it to sudden death. Miles stepped up again and scored, Milner’s effort went just wide with Oxford wining with two well taken penalties.  Tamworth now go into plate with a lot of confidence on this performance.