Pendle Forest Ladies Hockey 6

Didsbury Northern Ladies 2

LISA Crewe scored four times as Pendle Forest overcame an early set back to remain top of the North Hockey Women’s League Premier Division.

Didsbury arrived in East Lancashire with intent and took the lead in the 14th minute.

But Forest were on level terms just six minutes later when Crewe converted from a penalty corner, superbly drag flicking the ball into the top left of the netting.

Charlotte Hartley then put Forest ahead with a wonderful solo effort. Picking the ball up in midfield, Hartley pushed forward at pace taking on defenders before drawing out the keeper and, with a reverse stick shot, found the bottom corner.

Possession in midfield was difficult, as soon as the ball was received the midfield found themselves swarmed upon by the opposition but short, accurate passing started to allow them to skilfully release the ball. Going into the break 2-1 up was a relief for Forest but there was still every possibility that the game could go either way!

With Forest leading 2-1 at the break, Didsbury were still a danger on the counter attack but goalkeeper, Laura Kendall, did well as the last line of defence to keep them at bay.

Forest finally began to settle and Thea Cormack and Freya Bythell showed composure beyond their years helping to direct attacking play towards the forward line.

Crewe bagged her second goal from another penalty corner and then completed her hat-trick when the ball deflected in off a defender’s stick.

Didsbury continued to battle and a reverse stick assist from a penalty corner found a narrow angle past Kendall to pull one back. But Forest were unstoppable and continued with relentless force to penetrate the opposition D.

Crewe grabbed her fourth goal when another penalty corner went in off a defender’s foot.

Crewe and Hartley combined once more for Forest’s final goal at a penalty corner with Hartley accurately deflecting the ball up past the GK.

Forest’s Thea Cormack and a Didsbury player were green carded late on as Forest secured another convincing win.

On Saturday, Pendle Forest travel to mid-table Kirby Stephen.