Disappointing finals defeat for Bedford's Mixed Hockey Team
Hockey round-up
Bedford narrowly missed out on winning the England Hockey Mixed Plate as they cruelly lost 2-1 in the dying seconds of the final.
Having enjoyed huge success in the earlier rounds, averaging seven goals a game, Bedford travelled up to Sheffield full of confidence to face Sunderland in the semi-finals.
Missing a number of key players due to the MK Hockey Tour, Bedford still boasted a strong squad, as they handed seasonal Timpson Trophy debuts to Natalia Norford, Hannah Shanahan, Pete Fannon, Rob Tarrant and Ram Basra.
Sunderland got off to the better start with Si Dolan having to be alert in the Bedford goal.
Gradually Bedford began to play some fast flowing hockey and deservedly took the lead midway through the first half when Rich Evans found some space in the D and fired home.
And it was soon two as Evans set up Norford to finish from close range.
Tarrant, Dave Langley and the youthful Jenna Maclaren looked solid at the back and Bedford made sure of victory with a third just before half time, when Tarrant's string run from the back was finished with a delightful Evans lob.
Bedford's midfield of Alyn Meredith, Kate Costin, Beth Nobel, Connie Mason and Ram Basra kept possession well, before they were harshly reduced to 10 men following Evans' challenge on a Sunderland defender.
Sunderland enjoyed their best spell of the game but couldn't find a way through as they had a goal disallowed. Back up to their full complement Bedford made it four when Evans found Norford in predatory mood at the far post and rounded things off with the goal of the game in the last five minutes.
Player of the match Meredith went on a fine run before playing an inch-perfect one-two with captain Costin and playwing in Simba Chigwada to coolly slot home.
In their first ever national plate final Bedford took on Havering HC.
Caroline McGuckian and men's first team captain James Bilham were added to the squad, but the first half didn't go to plan.
Bedford were careless in possesion and Bilham and Langley were yellow carded before Havering took the lead after Bedford were unable to clear their lines.
Short corners were Bedford's main threat, while Evans, Meredith and Chigwada were thwarted by some tight marking.
Chigwada's pace created several half chances after the break and with 15 minutes to go Bedford threw caution to the wind.
Pressing relentlessly for an equaliser, Meredith's fine solo run took him past several Havering players and the keeper but, with the goal gaping, his shot was miraculously cleared off the line by a covering defender.
Evans was then taken out and, although Norford poked home the which had already gone for a penalty flick. Meredith stepped up and flicked low to the right but the keeper made a fine save.
But Bedford's pressure finally told when a short corner was only cleared to McGuckian who tucked home the rebound.
However, with the game looking destined for golden goal extra-time, Evans was on the end of another dubious decision when he gave away a short corner. And, with one umpire having already blown for full time, Meredith was then dismissed for dissent. Havering took full advantage, lifting the ball over Dolan with the last shot of the game to break Bedford's hearts.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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