Hockey: Brigg men slip to first defeat at Bradford

The home game at Brumby Hall saw Brigg win comfortably against the fourth-placed side.

There was plenty of skill on display from both sides in an even opening, but Brigg opened the scoring after 10 minutes through Kieron Woodcock. Bradford rallied and were awarded several penalty corners, but they failed to convert, and could not find a way past Brigg keeper Colin Lattimer who made a series of fine saves.

The score remained 1-0 until the second half when Andrew Morris doubled Brigg’s lead.

The hosts dominated the opening 15 minutes of the second half and made the game safe when Zach Meadows rounded off an excellent move with the third goal. Woodcock was named man-of-the-match.

But when Brigg visited Bradford for the return game it was a very different story as the home side won 4-1, taking advantage of an indifferent display to inflict Brigg’s first defeat of the season.

Zach Meadows scored a late consolation for Brigg who still remain well placed in the promotion race.

* Brigg men’s seconds went down to a heavy defeat at City of York 7-3, while the men’s third team beat Kingston-upon-Hull Seconds 4-3, and Brigg Fourths lost 2-0 to Wakefield, but then beat Slazengers 4-1.

* Brigg Ladies’ First XI drew 2-2 in an end-to-end encounter at City of York.

The second team took on Slazenger Thirds at Brumby Hall in a must-in game and they started well with Brigg passing and moving the ball effectively and linking well through the midfield, while using width well with Kate Kelly and Racheal Lingard working hard.

Soon their hard work paid off with a goal from El Whitaker before Gemma Reid scored fro a short corner before half-time.

More excellent passing and movement on and off the ball then saw Caroline Staniland’s accurate pass find Jemma Reid in the circle to calmly finish into the corner of the Slazenger’s goal to cap a 3-1 win; their first victory since November.

Brigg Ladies’ Third XI lost 3-0 to Barton’s first team.