OLTON & West Warwick produced a storming comeback to make a winning start to life in Investec Ladies Division One North.
Olton, promoted last season, were unfazed playing at a higher level against Swansea, but had to do it the hard way after scoring four times in 13 minutes to overturn a two-goal deficit to win 4-2.
With three new faces appearing in the starting line-up for Olton, replacing three departures over the summer, the hosts made their attacking intentions clear from the start when having two ‘goals’ chalked off in the early stages.
To add insult to injury, visitors Swansea took the lead in the 18th minute from a penalty corner and stayed in front as the half-time whistle sounded, before doubling their advantage 11 minutes into the second half from another penalty corner.
But to Olton’s credit, heads did not drop and they powered back into the contest.
Sally Walton flashed three strikes into the net in the space of nine minutes to turn the game around, before debutant Lara Knowles’ goal from a penalty corner in the 61st minute put the seal on a stunning comeback. Swansea were dumbfounded, and despite battling away looking for a route back into the game, were unable to get the better of the hosts’ solid rearguard.
The men’s first team did not have the same success in their first game since promotion, losing 7-3 to Cardiff & Met in Men’s Division One North.
Cardiff struck after just six minutes from open play before going two in front 11 minutes later.
The second goal signalled a spell of five scored in the space of nine minutes, with Tom Mallett and Joe Paul both finding the net for Olton as the hosts led 4-2 at half time.
With three more goals scored by the Welsh side, it was Olton’s Peter Jackson who had the final say when flicking the ball into the net 12 minutes before the end.
Olton’s ladies side visit Stourport on Saturday (6pm), while the men’s team are in action at home to Leeds on Sunday (1.30pm).
