HOCKEY: Southam strikes to save the day (From Bicester Advertiser)

HOCKEY: Southam strikes to save the day

1:00pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in Sport

Bicester ladies fought back from 3-0 down to draw 4-4 at South Bucks in Trysports Three Counties Premier 1.

They went behind after conceding an own goal and it got worse for Bicester as two more strikes gave the hosts a 3-0 lead.

Susie Miller clawed a goal back from a close-range rebound to give Bicester hope.

The visitors kept up the pressure after the break, with captain Ella Weston cracking home Bicester’s second goal following a great run and cross from Georgina Newell.

Bucks then nosed into a 4-2 lead, only for Weston to double her tally with a super shot into the left hand corner of the net.

And they were level when Kath Crook battled her way past the defence before releasing midfielder Jan Southam, who neatly put the ball past the keeper.

Bicester’s defence of Lucy Birtles, Grace Julier, Georgina and Hannah Newell and keeper Joanna Underhill then ensured the visitors held on for the draw.

Bicester 3rd lost 4-0 at home to Marlow 4th in Division 5.

Bicester men boosted their promotion hopes as they got back to winning ways in MBBO Division 1 with a 1-0 success at home to Ashford 2nd.

The closest Bicester went to scoring in the first half was a Luke Smith piledriver, which was saved by the Ashford keeper.

Bicester went ahead midway through the second half. Jonny Reid’s pass picked out CJ Birtles, who sneaked the ball past the on-rushing keeper.

The hosts managed to hold on to their lead thanks to some strong defending.

Bicester 3rd strolled to a 5-0 win at Thame 2nd in Open Division 9, thanks to a hat-trick from Chris Coleman and a Chris O’Dell double.