Stourport bag vital win in survival battle (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Stourport bag vital win in survival battle

9:52am Thursday 21st February 2013 in Local

STOURPORT Ladies bagged an all-important win in their quest to avoid relegation from the Investec Women’s Conference West as they saw off bottom side Taunton Vale 3-0.

Heidi Devey handed the home team, who are third from bottom, a 1-0 lead at half-time.

Stourport made sure of their first win in the league of 2013 in the second-half.

Sarah Cavendish and Joey Turnbull both got a touch to bundle over the second.

The hosts extended their lead further when an excellent passage of play saw Cavendish strike the ball in from just outside the 25 yard area to Sade Gerald, who deflected it over the keeper’s head into the net for the 3-0 victory.

Stourport take on fourth-placed Isca University away on Saturday.

In the Midland Feeder West League, the seconds saw Bethan Merriman (2) and Keeley Hawkes score in a 3-0 victory at Harborne.

The thirds suffered a setback in the Worcestershire League Division One as Bournville seconds battled back from 3-1 to draw 3-3, despite goals for Abi Yapp, Louise Bagnall and Paul Knott.

The fourths drew 1-1 with Bromsgrove’s second string, with Rosie Lewis on target.

Stourport’s fifth team emerged triumphant from a Wyre Forest derby as they saw off Kidderminster 3-1 in Division Three.

Julia Hopkins (2) and Rosie Connolly scored for Stourport, while Lucy Harler replied.

Kidderminster men’s first team stretched their unbeaten run in the West Midlands Division One to three games as they came from behind to draw 2-2 against Bloxwich.

Buoyed by the return of Tom Boden in midfield and Chris Harler in defence, the team started brightly and capitalised on a extended period of possession midway through the first-half with a well-taken goal from top scorer Andy Griffiths.

But minutes before the break, Neil Jackson was adjudged to have stick tackled in the home area and former Kidderminster player Steve Mazurek powered a penalty flick into the roof of the net giving keeper John Millerchip no chance.

Bloxwich extended their lead after the interval with a scrambled goal.

But Kidderminster were not to be outdone when a fine solo run from Boden ended with a net-splitting shot.

Both sides pushed hard for a winner but Kidderminster maintained their defensive shape and composure with a draw a fair conclusion to end an excellent game of hockey. Third-from-bottom Kidderminster take on Leamington at home on Sunday (11.30am start).

Meanwhile, Kidderminster Fathoms won 4-0 against Walsall.

In the Midlands Premier, Stourport men’s first team suffered a heavy defeat as they were crushed by fifth-placed Lichfield 12-2.

Andrew Cavendish and Andrew Petrie scored consolation goals for Stourport, who were beaten Telford and Wrekin 7-1 last week.

Stourport, who are now bottom of the table, entertain Sutton Coldfield on Saturday.