Beccles 0, Dereham Colts 1THIS top of the table hockey clash was a hard fought and tense game. Beccles were strong in possession and quick to close down play when not, making it difficult for Dereham to play the fast, free flowing, one-touch hockey they are used to.

Beccles 0, Dereham Colts 1

THIS top of the table hockey clash was a hard fought and tense game. Beccles were strong in possession and quick to close down play when not, making it difficult for Dereham to play the fast, free flowing, one-touch hockey they are used to.

Instead the Colts had to dig deep and ground out the result. Last week's new formation of the diamond in midfield created by step-in manager Vics Mansfield, continued to work for the Colts.

The first half saw Alice Tarry and Hattie Bowden in excellent positions, giving width and a permanent outlet for the play. Dereham worked the space created in the middle of the pitch well, but just couldn't find that final ball to beat the on form Beccles goalie.

An injury early on saw Dereham shuffle their personnel around the formation and lose their only substitute. Lulu Humberston switched from left back to the bottom of the diamond, and put in a superb performance, tackling and disrupting play.

Ben Burgess man of the match Humberston, also played some clever short and long range passes to release the ball from defence and the middle of the pitch.

With neither team able to break the deadlock the Dereham defence came onto their own. Emily Crisp at centre back, Heather Morgan at sweeper and Zoe Taylor in goal, all had good games and made important tackles and saves. Then with five minutes to play that important defensive work paid off.

A quick break down the right after good link up play by Charlotte Reeve and Ellie Boyce saw the ball crossed to forward Pixie Seaman who beat the grounded Beccles goalie with a strong jab.

This win keeps the Colts five points clear at the top of the league with a game in hand.

Team: Hattie Bowden, Ellie Boyce, Emily Crisp, Lulu Humberston, Rachel Lavers, Heather Morgan (capt), Charlotte Reeve, Juliet Richardson, Pixie Seaman, Alice Tarry, Hannah Tarry, Zoe Taylor (gk).