Last-minute winner seals thrilling victory over Hornets for North Devon Ladies
North Devon Hockey Club enjoy another victorious weekend
For North Devon Hockey Club Ladies 2nds, a tough fixture against a strong, determined Honiton Hornets 1s side lived up to expectations, with grit, determination and a dramatic finish securing a fantastic 2-3 away victory after 70 minutes of hard-fought hockey.
Despite a strong start for North, Honiton struck first in the 11th minute, coolly converting a short corner. Heads never dropped, however, and the team continued to battle hard.
Hannah Watkins equalised in the 22nd minute, finishing off a well-worked short corner routine to make it 1-1 at the half-time break.
The second half could hardly have begun better. Just two minutes after the restart, another well-worked short corner paid dividends as Beccy Addison found the net to put the team 2-1 ahead.
Goalkeeper Donna Phipps produced a series of outstanding saves to keep Honiton at bay, but the visitors eventually levelled from another well-worked short corner. With time ticking away, both sides pushed hard for a winner.
As the clock entered its final minute, following sustained pressure, Megan Peters found a gap and sneaked the ball home to spark celebrations and secure a dramatic 2-3 victory on the road.
Player of the Match was Hannah Watkins, whose tireless running, intelligent movement and crucial equaliser helped set the pace for North to go on and secure the win.
Donna Phipps also deserves special mention for her outstanding saves, while Caroline Williams showed impressive toughness and determination following a painful injury sustained early on.
A fantastic team performance, three valuable points and a last-minute winner. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Elsewhere, the Ladies’ 1s kept their perfect start going with a barnstorming 6-0 home win against Exeter 4s, the Ladies’ 3s remain unbeaten after a thrilling 5-1 win against Okehampton 3s, the Men’s 1s lost narrowly on the road to a well-drilled Sidmouth & Ottery 1s side and the Men’s 2s gained breathing space at the top of their league with a 3-0 win over Isca 6s.