Ladies 2's Match Reports

Bicester Ladies II 0 vs 1 Phoenix Ranelagh II

A frustrating defeat to bottom of the table Phoenix do not bring a good end to Bicester Ladies IIs pre Christmas league campaign. Despite mounting a fair degree of pressure Bicester did not prove decisive in front of goal. Despite having many scoring opportunities both in open play and from penalty corners, Bicester failed to be clinical enough in front of goal. There was also controversy when then Phoenix keeper covered the ball with both hands and Bicester was denied a penalty stroke this added to the frustration for Bicester as they also had a goal disallowed.

Phoenix stole the three points, catching Bicester on the break and overwhelming the defence towards the end. Lou West was awarded player of the match.

28th November 2009

Bicester Ladies 2nd XI travelled to Wycombe on saturday for their penultimate match before the Christmas break. Bicester were pressured constantly during the first half with Wycombe attaining at least 10 short corners, but on the break Bicester threatened the Wycombe defence with out results. With the match at a stalemate going into the break Bicester were anxious to break the deadlock, again the Bicester defence were under pressure with Wycombe attaining a further 10 short corners but the defence were determined that these were not going to allow Wycombe to take the lead. Good link up play between Nicky Pollock, dame of the game, and the forward line meant that Bicester continued to pressurise the Wycombe defence but with no luck as a number of shots were cleared by the keeper. Wycombe took the lead late on in the 2nd half, and despite a concerted effort by the Bicester attack, they were not able to draw level. Bicester Ladies 2nd XI host Phoenix & Ranlagh on saturday at Coopers.

21st November 2009

Bicester Ladies 2nd XI travelled to City of Oxford 3's on saturday in a mid table clash. Bicester were bouyant before the start as the rain held off. With the match getting under way Bicester were under pressure from City but with usual Bicester grit and determination rallied to gain a short corner in the first ten minutes of the match, taining paid off as a rebound from Becki Garrett's strike was slotted in by Rachel Hucker. Bicester countinued to fight for the remainder of the 1st half but City's keeper kept their efforts out of the net. Bicester were enthused by their lead going into the 2nd half but knew that the lack of extra legs would be telling towards the end. On a very slippy astro Bicester conceded a short corner in the middle of the half which City converted to equalised the score. Despite Bicesters best efforts City raised their game to score twice before the end of the match, the final result being Bicester 1 - 3 City of Oxford. The ladies 2nd XI travel to Wycombe on saturday.

14th November

Bicester Ladies 2nd XI hosted Reading 3A's on saturday at Coopers in the pouring rain. The match was slightly delayed as the opposition goalkeeper went to the astro in Witney. Once the match started Bicester were under pressure against the 10 opposition outfield players, and unfortunately conceded with the cracking strike from the top of the 'D' by the Reading centre forward. Bicester rallied, determined to take advantage of the lack of keeper, and with a short corner late on in the 1st half Sky Tagliaffero scored with a direct strike to take Bicester level. Further pressure saw Bicester gain a 2nd short corner with in minutes, Tagliaferro's well worked play allowing Amy Richardson slot the ball over the line. Bicster continued to apply pressure to the Reading defence and and shortly before the break, Bicester came round the back with Stacey Barclay, dame of the game, linking in open play with Tagliaffero, allowing her to put the ball over the line for her 2nd of the match, to give Bicester a 3-1 lead going into the break. In a well fought 2nd half the Bicester keeper, Fiona Boyer, pulled off an outstanding save to prevent Reading from adding extra pressure to Bicester, who struggled to take further advantage of the absence of a goal keeper. Bicester Ladies 2nd XI travel to City of Oxford on saturday.

7th November 2009

Bicester Ladies 2nd XI hosted Amersham and Chalfont 3's at Coopers on saturday in the glourious sunshine. From the start A&C attacked fiercly forcing the Bicester defence to maintain the balance by sheer hard work and determination. Bicester had their chances in the 1st half but were unable to convert from open play. With the score level after the break Bicester were determined to break the deadlock and pressured the A&C defence. In a ba;anced match A&C took the lead with 15 minutes to go, Bicester continued to pressurise for the equaliser but to no avail. This saturday Bicester Ladies 2nd host Reading 3a's at coopers, 11:30 pushback.

31st October 2009

Bicester Ladies 2nd XI hosted league leaders West Witney at home on saturday and after 2 league wins in a row were looking for a positive outcome from the game. Bicester rallied under the pressure of West Witney, determined to keep the precious clean sheet for as long as possible, with Carys Protheroe, Rachel Hucker and Sam Smith fighting valiantly. Completely against the run of play Bicester took West Witney by surprise with some nicely played hockey to enable Sky Tagliaferro to put Bicester into the lead and score only the 2nd goal that West Witney have conceded this season. Bicester were determine to hold firm, but West Witney came with determination to level the score at 1 all going into the break. The second half saw Bicseter again take the lead with Sky Tagliaferro again scoring from the post on a short corner, unfortunately this lead was short lived with West Witney scoring twice in quick sucsession to take the lead for the first time in the match. Bicester battled to the end, with dame of the game Fiona Boyer pulling off some outstanding saves, despite Bicester conceeding a further 3 goals, to take the score to 2 -6. Bicester are not despondant about the score having played well for the duration of the match, and look forward positively to hosting Amersham and Chalfont at Coopers School on saturday.

10th October 2009

Bicester Ladies 2nd XI were looking for that elusive first league win of the season and were confident that despite hosting Banbury Ladies 3's, who they lost to in a preseason friendly, this was the week that would secure the first 3 points. Bicester were well organised from the start, surprising Banbury, as Cat McCullagh got herself on the score sheet within 5 minutes and continued to put pressure on the visitors with Nicky Pollock having a goal disallowed before the break. The second half saw Bicester sort out some niggles, with the mid-field of Liz Coulter and Stacey Barcley pulling wide to open the pitch Bicester were able to pressure Banbury and again had some cracking chances, all OOOO'd by the sideline support. Banbury scored to level the match to one a piece but Bicester were determined that this was the day. Further pressure by the defence and midfields enabled the forwards to overpower the Banbury defence, with Cat McCullagh putting away her second of the day, resulting in a 2-1 win for Bicester. Bicester Ladies 2nd XI travel away to Gerrads Cross on saturday.

27th September 2009

Bicester Ladies 2nd XI hosted Reading 3's in their first league match on the newly laid astro at Coopers School on saturday. Due to the astonishing unavilability of 2nd XI players, 5 3rd XI players were fielded to complete the team. Bicester were always going to be the underdogs against a side fielding ex-national league players but despite this all Bicester players gave 100% in the blistering heat of September! In an enjoyable match Bicester went down 0-7 but displayed some good hockey with the midfield, Rachel Hucker, dame of the game, and Beccy Garrett linking with the forwards Lucy McGregor and Katie Johnson to put pressure on the Reading defence. Bicester Ladies 2nd XI travel to Wokingham on saturday aiming for their first win of the season.

19/9/09 Bracknell Ladies 2nd  1 vs 1 Bicester Ladies 2nd

12/9/09 Banbury ladies III 5 vs 2 Bicester Ladies II

Bicester Ladies 2nd XI travelled to Banbury to play Banbury Ladies 3rd XI on their newly laid astro pitch. Bicester 2nd XI was promoted into the Trysports 3 Counties League at the end of last season.