BROOKFIELDS travelled to Preston College to take on a team lying near the top of their division and came away with renewed confidence that the tide has now turned in their favour.

Fulwood started with a depleted squad of nine but this did not discourage them and they attacked with determination earning their reward when they opened the score on six minutes with a deflection from a long corner.

Brooks were aghast but rallied well and for the following 15 minutes it was an end to end battle with neither team getting a clear opening. This had to end though and finally Brooks took advantage of the gaps opening through the middle.

Niki Hunter cleared the ball out to Rachel Elleray who in turn threaded a ball through to Lisa Walsh for a one on one opportunity. Fulwood's goalie ran out to block but Walsh slipped under her boots for the equaliser.

Minutes later Fulwood failed to clear from a short corner.

Jane Blackwell crossed the ball and a fine strike by Walsh hovering near the right post put them in the lead.

For the remainder of the half both defences worked hard but with inferior numbers Fulwood were tiring and were the most relieved at the break. Brooks had the push back to resume the match but it was Fulwood who had the first scoring opportunity.

A fast break by their central players caught Brooks out but goalie Jolanda Argentina stood her ground, saved and Fulwood had only a long corner for their reward.

The game was going off the boil so midway through the half a double substitution was made fresh legs meant more effort for Fulwood and they could not stop Brooks third. A clearance from deep found Elleray who in turn found Blackwell and with relief she scored her first of the season firing wide to the goalie's right.

Moments later Fulwood's day of woe got worse when their right defender fell awkwardly and had to go off leaving eight players to contain the rampant visitors.

Brooks failed to take advantage of the opportunities they created to increase the scoring but Fulwood must be commended on their resilience with such a depleted squad.

Fulwood 1 Brookfields 3