Brookfields 3 Blackpool IV 0

LEAGUE leaders Blackpool were blown by storms on the way here and blown away on the pitch by the control and assertiveness of a composed Brookfields hockey squad.

The rain swept across the pitch for most of the game, but this did little to slow the speed of the young Blackpool team and Brooks were forced to call on deep resources to compete with their fitness.

At the opening of play Blackpool took the push back and looked impressive. Their skill and passing were sublime, but as in earlier matches this season, it was only a matter of time before Brooks intercepted and the attacks were on.

Jan Patterson and Jane Blakewell made telling breaks and their crosses and shots deserved more rewards than resulted.

Caroline Smith, Louise Whaite and Kate Rickard were also maintaining a hold on the midfield and feeding telling passes through to the forwards. Linda Dunstan came close early on in the half and Sue Langan was being thwarted by the goalie as she tried to curl touches inside the right goal post.

But finally close to half time Emma Holmes made an excellent clearance, Blakewell and Patterson surged forward dissecting the defence with their one-twos, with only one defender and the goalie to beat the latter slipped a reverse stick pass across the goal mouth for a sure touch in goal for Blakewell.

Instead Blackpool's defender made a desperate attempt to cut it out and agonisingly watched her interception beat her own goalie.

Blackpool retaliated well following this mishap and Claire Thompson and Helen Warburton in defence were forced to make some telling clearances and substitute goalie Nikki Hunter had to keep her cool to keep a clean sheet.

Going into the second half Brooks were confident, and this was so evident when, within 10 minutes of resumption of play, goals two and three found the back of the net.

Just to confirm the team understanding throughout, Warburton made a long run from deep before releasing for Patterson to fire from the edge of the D and goal-poacher Blackwell was ready on the post to deflect in the second.

The third again was a steady build up through Smith, Whaite and Dunstan and finally Langan got the better of the goalie.

With this cushion, Brooks could play with composure and Blackpool were forced to make attacks, but this left defensive gaps that Brooks were happy to play into.

It was a very hard match that left Brooks players shattered but pleased and today they found a new confidence evident in the controlling play of the latter stages of the match.