IF there is one thing for sure Clitheroe and Hyndburn Hockey Club are consistent.

That's neither consistently good or bad but consistently short of players.

It was the same story last season and the problem has arisen again this time around.

The club's autumn season has started with a little difficulty due to the diminishing numbers of players and new members are being sort - and they could not come quick enough.

The first two games of the season underlined the problem, when defeats against Blackpool and Southport.

Clitheroe and Hyndburn did manage to pick up their first win of the season at Garstang last weekend, thanks to a fine team performance with keeper Nicola Millard in superb form.

And it was just the boost they needed for Saturday's home game against the much fancied and very experienced Lancaster.

With two new players in the team, Clitheroe and Hyndburn struggled to find the right pace in the first half and were 2-0 down at the break.

However despite this, Anne Hollingsworth played superbly in defence alongside Paula Roles and junior player Amy Bennison.

Hyndburn and Clitheroe fought hard in the second half to get back in the game and controlled the match for long periods.

But despite a number of efforts on the Lancaster goal they failed to make their pressure count.

However the pressure finally paid off when Jill Middleton followed up last week's winner at Garstang with a fine individual goal where she beat three defenders before slotting the ball home.

But hopes of a comeback were thwarted when Lancaster grabbed a third to seal victory.

The club is still interested in hearing from players who want to join and also seek an umpire. The home ground is Hyndburn Astro Turf at Church and umpires are paid expenses.

For further details contact Carolyn Taylor on 01254 8868199.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.