Carlisle men’s first team were the only hockey club winners at the weekend after a free-scoring 7-4 win at Jesmond.
The seconds were credited with a 5-0 win but didn’t in fact play as their opponents Jesmond Parish Church were unable to raise enough players.
The women’s first team had a great battle with League leaders Lymm before going under 3-2.
Although continuing to show improved form the women’s second team were somewhat unfortunate to lose 8-4 to Kirkby Stephen.
In humid and overcast conditions the men’s first team game started at an even pace, with Henry Dunning, Ben Meaton and Ben Davidson kept on their toes by the home team’s forward line.
Eventually the Medics took the lead before Carlisle responded well as Neil Blackburn, Rob Whiteley and Jamie Snaith started to cause the hosts problems.
With chances coming from short corners and open play, Carlisle then levelled with a beautifully crafted goal.
Liam Brown picked up a rebound just inside the D and slipped it to the back post where a grateful Blackburn applied the finish.
Carlisle then roared into a 4-1 lead as Blackburn struck again with another expertly created and taken tap in; Whiteley’s drag flick made it three and Snaith’s swept effort comfortably beat the keeper.
The good first half was rather spoiled when the Medics then pulled two goals back before the break.
Carlisle forced a flurry of short corners and goal mouth scrambles due to the good attacking midfield work of Josh Freshwater and the industrious Tom Ravenscroft, at the start of the second-half.
Eventually it led to the creation of Whiteley’s second goal. Jonathan Richards then buried a drag flick rebound with consummate ease.
Minutes later Whiteley scored again after some intricate and instinctive play gave the away side a comfortable lead which was only slightly dented when the hosts scored a fourth goal.
After the long trek to Lymm the Carlisle women’s firsts started well with some good attacks down both flanks with Rebecca Illidge and Jen Bale making strong runs.
However, as soon Carlisle lost possession Lymm were quick to counter-attack. Ever present Hannah Pike played well with Alice Murray in the centre to slow down the attacks, and solid marking from Fran Schofield, Nicky Proctor and Kath Illidge limited Lymm’s options.
After a good 20 minutes Lymm broke the deadlock with their first goal, as they were quick to react to a rebound from a great save by Carlisle keeper Jenny Kirton.
Carlisle continued to apply the pressure in response before Holly Milbourn linked well with Esther Stronach, who equalized with a stunning shot into the top corner just before half-time.
The second half saw Lymm playing directly down the centre but Murray and Bale continued to stay strong, distributing the ball wide to release Lucy Brown on the left.
Linking well with Jenny Wright and Zara McNabney (on her first team debut) it put the pressure on the Lymm defence and they won a number of penalty corners.
Carlisle’s second goal came from a penalty corner and the quick reflexes of Rebecca Illidge, who calmly controlled a high ball to slot it past the keeper.
Carlisle continued to maintain their composure as Lymm got more and more frustrated but they managed to secure a run of penalty corners, and from one of them they equalised.
With only five minutes left there were opportunities at both ends of the pitch, however it was another penalty corner that Lymm converted to give them the narrow win.
Once again there was a lot to be positive about with the Carlisle performance. They had a number of new and returning players and the team is still learning to gel and can only get stronger as the season unfolds.
The women’s second team were playing their third match of the season at home to Kirkby Stephen and despite the 8-4 losing score-line are becoming more familiar with everyone’s roles and the squad is starting to gel.
The score could be seen as an unfair representation of the match with Carlisle dominating in the most part and playing some quality hockey.
After the first five minutes the Carlisle players knew it would be a challenging match, as Kirkby Stephen 3 had some fast, skilful players.
Despite this, Nic Heeley, Blythe Jackson and Martha Ord kept the ball moving throughout midfield with Jess Evans, Molly Spriggs and Anastasia Palmer having some outstanding runs down the wings.
During the first half both teams scored at regular intervals with one of the goals conceded by Carlisle a penalty flick so at the break the visitors led 4-2.
After a motivating talk from the captain and defender Deborah Dunning the Carlisle side rallied and at one point had closed the game at 5-4 with excellent goals by Nic Heeley, Myesha Pearson and Anastasia Palmer.
Claire Bastiman, Jess Mason, Rachel Smith and Deborah Dunning all worked very hard in defence throughout the second half as did keeper Anna Sperry who made some brilliant stops.
