Vicki Franks penalty stroke secures City win over Sevenoaks

A 3-2 win over Sevenoaks saw Cambridge City end a run of disappointing results and leapfrog Harleston Magpies to climb out of the relegation spots in the Vitality Women’s League, Division One South.

Alex Pitchford opened the scoring with a deflection on a penalty corner for City. In the second half Ellie Harrison dribbled round a flurry of defenders before finishing on the far post with a push past the outstretched leg of the keeper.

With the score at 2-2, captain Vicki Franks stepped up to put away a penalty stroke and secure the vital win.

The game started disastrously for City II when they were 2-0 down in a matter of minutes to City of Peterborough in the Mr Cricket Hockey East Women’s League, Premier Division.

But City fought back to dramatically win the game. Georgie Coote put away a stroke to halve the deficit and Emma Owens crossed to Chanre Bond for a diving deflection. Kara Kilbourn was then picked out by Becca Granger for a deflection to take the lead. Peterborough pulled it back to 3-3 but Granger jinked round two defenders on a penalty corner to blast the ball home and secure the win.

After a contentious first clash earlier in the season, the trip to St Neots was always going to be a tough game for City III. The hosts’ 4-1 win may derail the promotion charge by City in Division 1N with two games to go. City’s goal came from Amelia Sangster.

City IV won 3-1 over Long Sutton. Anna Hall, Eva Stones and Emma Clarke all netted to keep the race for third place in Division 2NW alive.

Jemima Wrigley scored a goal with 10 minutes to go but it was not enough as City V lost 2-1 to Shefford & Sandy II in Division 3NW.