Stourport Over 55s dominate Lichfield in national cup clash
With the Worcestershire snow cleared sufficiently for a strong Stourport's Over 55s Masters Side to take to the field for the next round of their National Cup campaign, which they won 7-0 against their visitors, Lichfield, on Sunday.
It was clear from the hit back that both sides had enjoyed the Christmas break without picking up a hockey stick, and with Lichfield's strategy of total defence, which at times saw ten white shirts behind the ball.
Despite some fine saves from the visitors' keeper, Stourport finally found a way through after 20 minutes, Dom Roberts keeping a cool head and not panicking when he found himself in opposition circle, for the first time this season, slotting the ball home with a well taken goal. Stourport added a second before the break when a fluent move was rounded off with a fine finish by Martin Oates.
Lichfield's defence tried in the second half, opening opportunities for Stourport, whose smart passing opened up the gaps behind the Lichfield defence. Surprising everybody, David Knott produced a fine pass which left the Lichfield keeper stranded and enabled Tom White to finish from close range. Knott soon reverted to type and found the net himself with a sweetly struck shot, before White finished off a quick passing move that carved open the Lichfield defence to make it 5-0.
There was no way back for the visitors, but Stourport kept their shape and continued to move the ball around, completing some fine passes to penetrate the circle and create scoring opportunities. A well-taken second by Knott and a good finish by Neil Farquharson rounded off the 7-0 victory. Stourport will face a sterner test in the next round, when they entertain Oxford Hawks in early February.
Pictures by Sara Jennings.
