A WELL-EARNED point was claimed by Solihull Blossomfield’s men’s first XI in their West Midlands Premier clash with Worcester 2nds.
The strugglers were made to do it the hard way after going a goal down following a slow start, but eventually grew into the game and were unlucky not to restore parity when a shot struck the post before the break.
Bloss’ resolve came to the fore in the second half when they were rewarded with an equaliser – courtesy of Aabid Chaudhry’s composed finish.
It could have all been so different however, had Ben Rabone not pulled off a save from a Worcester penalty flick with the scoreline still at 1-0, prior to the leveller.
Blossomfield ladies’ first team are up to fourth in Midlands Division One after a narrow victory away to Edgbaston in an end-to-end encounter.
Both sides enjoyed a host of chances, with Nel Rodgridges performing heroics time and again in the Bloss goal.
In the end, it was a short corner which decided the affair, the winner being dispatched into the net with just two minutes remaining.
The ladies’ second team remain rooted to the foot of the Division One table in the Warwickshire Womens Hockey League, despite taking a point against Olton 3rds.
Solihull played out a 2-2 draw to claim only their second point of the campaign in the rearranged fixture, though it appeared that the hosts were in line to take all three when Sam Grew flicked the ball home with a reverse-stick shot.
Two quickfire strikes from Olton quickly dampened hopes on the stroke of half time, though Bloss remained unnerved by the prospect of a tenth defeat of the campaign and played some confident hockey after the restart.
Sian Musgreave-Spiby epitomised this desire to get forward and won her side a penalty flick after weaving her way into the Olton D.
Tasked with the responsibility of taking the shot was Fiona Goldstraw, who made no mistake to ensure that Solihull end the year of a high after a troubled first half of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Solihull’s third XI remain top of Division Four, despite falling to a first defeat of the season at Old Silhillians 3rds.
Silhillians were 1-0 victors in the derby and led for the majority of the encounter, having taken full advantage of a melee in the box to score.
A scrappy game ensued after the deadlock was broken, but while Bloss came back into the tie and threatened to take a share of the spoils, OS held firm – including a goal-line clearance to prevent a certain leveller – to win for a fourth time this term.
Coventry & North Warwickshire’s second team are now just a couple of points off Bloss at the summit, while Old Silhillians stay in ninth.
