Fuller double boosts Worksop Ladies' relegation fight

Goals from player-of-the-match Tracy Fuller earned Worksop a 2-0 victory over Harborough, who sat as high as fourth in the table.

And now Worksop will have a chance of staying in the Feeder East Division of the Midland Women’s Hockey League if they also win their remaining two matches, which are away to third-placed Derby Ladies 2nd this coming Saturday and then at home to fifth-placed West Bridgford Ladies on Saturday, April 1.

Knowing they had to beat their Leicestershire opponents, Worksop started strongly, applying some excellent pressure and allowing the visitors little time on the ball.

They also created chances and eventually took the lead when fantastic link-up play between the forwards led to a shot by Ailsa Gray that was illegally stopped on the line and resulted in a penalty flick. Up stepped Fuller to neatly slot the ball into the bottom corner of the goal.

Excellent defence further frustrated Harborough, and it wasn’t long before Fuller was netting her second, at the end of a brilliant team-attack, to give Worksop their second goal and an ideal cushion at half-time.

The second period saw more of the same, with Worksop enjoying most of the pressure. The few chances Harborough had, they were unable to convert thanks to the hosts’ determined defending.

There were no more goals, but relieved Worksop, who have only two strugglers below them in the league table, held on for a much-needed and well-deserved victory.