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Ladies First XI Hockey
An ambitious, competitive squad of experience and youth currently playing in North Division One.
Although the Ladies First XI had a disappointing season that saw them relegated to Northern Division One, the side was a mix of experience and new talent, that really bonded as a team both on and off the pitch.
The 2012/13 campaIgn will see a new coach guide the squad swiftly back up to the Premier League and hopefully, just as swiftly beyond. We are all looking forward to proving our skill and commitment, winning some games, and making great progress.
Home games start at 1.30pm - all support is more than welcome!
We like to play hard on the pitch and to party hard off it. This summer saw some of our first 11, along with ladies from the other squads take a trip to the annual Beeston 6's in Nottingham as 'The Mighty Gate'. Although we didnt win any silverware, we are now famous for our party tactics and drinking performance.
CAPTAINS NOTES
1st Team Captain: Natalie Hall (Tilly) email: n.c.hall@leeds.ac.uk
Please check www.fixtureslive.com for results, league position, top scorers and stats.
Next home game:
Saturday December 8th
Sunday November 25th, Wakefield
Weekend of promise for Harrogate ladies
Harrogate ladies came away from this weekend's double header with two points but could look back on two promising performances.
On Saturday they managed to more than match top-of-the-table Disdbury, with Emily Dunne scoring a late goal, before impressing away at Wakefield on Sunday.
If vision was clouded thanks to Saturday's heavy fog, the conditions were perfect for the final game of the weekend on the South Yorkshire club's new 'smurf turf'.
'Gate used the slick surface to their advantage and soon got their passing game going with Rachel Till, Emma Swarbirck and Dunne venturing down the right.
Alison Wales had the first chance of the game when she failed to make contact with a bobbling ball inside the Wakefield 'D', while at the other end the defence was unyielding and limited their hosts to very little on-goal action.
In the second period Heather Swarbirck's side came out of the traps quickly and looked to stretch Wakefield at every opportunity.
Laura Beardsmore and Charlotte O'Brien were linking well, with England under-18 midfielder Lydia Clissitt also causing trouble.
Eventually, Harrogate's pressure told when Wales produced a sublime finish with her back to goal to send the visitors into the lead.
Wakefield hit back with a good ten-minute spell and started to accumulate short corners. 'Gate invited pressure on themselves as their passing game faltered, and the hosts soon equalised with a controversial short corner.
With the ball switched to the left, the initial strike appeared to be going over the backboard before deflecting in off goalkeeper Sam Swenson.
The game became stretched in the closing stages and a flowing move almost resulted in a stunning winner, with O'Brien narrowly firing a reverse stick shot over the crossbar.
Till nearly stole the glory in the final minutes after good persistence from Swarbrick but 'Gate were left to settle for another draw.
Next up, Harrogate travel to Morpeth where they will be hoping to beat the weather and leapfrog a number of teams with three points.
Sunday November 11th, Bowdon Hightown
Harrogate's participation in this season's EHB Women's Cup is over after a determined quarter-final performance against Bowdon Hightown.
Tilly Hall's side lost 2-0 to their National League Premier opponents but were able to hold their heads high and look back on a true team effort full of pride and hard work.
'Gate went in to the game as huge underdogs against a side which could have fielded Olympic bronze medallist Sally Walton.
And the tone for the match was set in the opening five minutes with the Altrincham side camping in Harrogate's half. However, some resolute defence and a number of sharp saves from man of the match Sam Swenson proved that the visitors were not going to roll over easily.
With Harrogate looking to keep things compact and deny their opponents any space in the final third, it came down to a slick short corner routine to break the deadlock.
In the second half Harrogate started brightly and made a rare foray into the Bowden 'D' as they looked to spring a cup shock.
'Gate also managed to get their passing game going in the early stages and looked dangerous when attempting to spread play out wide.
At the other end, Swenson was being kept busy by the Bowdon attackers, but some resolute defending limited the Lancashire side to half chances.
A second goal was always likely, and a deflection in front of the 'keeper from a ball crashed into the 'D' gave Bowdon a little breathing space.
As the minutes ticked on Hall's side tried desperately to muster something from the game, but a solid Bowdon backline repelled any counter attacks.
Despite the defeat, captain Hall was proud of her side's efforts in front of a small army of Harrogate fans who cheered the Granby club on to the final whistle.
"It was a brilliant team performance, every player worked hard and made a difference. We came out fighting from the start and no one gave up. To only lose by two goals when playing a National League side is an amazing achievement," she said.
"I feel so lucky to be captain for such a great team and I couldn't have asked for anything more from them today. It was also great to have some supporters come all the way from Harrogate to cheer us on," Hall added.
'Gate, who are just four points off second place, return to league action on Saturday when they travel to face Newcastle University (midday push back).
Harrogate earn point in season opener! League: 29th Sept 2012 vs Leeds University (Home)
Harrogate Ladies hockey started their league campaign with a hard fought point against University of Leeds in North Division One.
The second half was all about Harrogate, who picked their game up following some inspirational words from captain Tilly Hall. Leeds grew frustrated at their inability to break the Harrogate defence who stood firm against some physical play.
Gate through to second round of the Cup!
EH Cup: 7th October 2012 v Timperley (Away)
Harrogate Ladies 1st team bounced back from a disappointing league result with a win against higher-ranked side Timperley in Sunday’s Investec England Hockey Cup match.
The match started at a furious pace with both teams eager to take the upper-hand. Despite some early chances for Gate, it was Timperley who took the lead with a well finished goal.
Gate pressed hard looking for the equaliser and it was Rachel Tilly, growing in confidence with each game, who used her pace to round a defender and shoot from distance to power the ball past the keeper and level the game.
Shortly before the half time break, Emily Dunne, sustained an injury to her calf and would no longer be able to take part in the match. Gate took some time to adjust to the reorganisation and Timperley capitalised, scoring another well worked goal.
Some rousing words from manager Heather Swarbrick at half time helped Gate to come out of the blocks firing on all cylinders. Gate started to play the ball around patiently in defence, making the Timperley forwards work hard and waiting for the opportunities.
10 minutes into the second half, Gate won a short corner from which Ali Wales’ deflection was saved on the line by a Timperley foot. The resulting penalty flick was calmly put away by the superb Shelley Harrison and it was game on.
Charlie O’Brien, Emma Swarbrick and Tilly Hall linked up well and continued to put sustained pressure on the Timperley defence.
With 8 minutes remaining on the clock the break through came when Charlotte Crossman picked the ball on the right wing and attacked the D. Crossman gave a perfect pass to Shelley Harrison who slotted the ball in the back of the goal.
Gate survived a late penalty corner from Timperley and now look forward to a second round match against Northampton Saints on Sunday 21st October.
Man of the Match: Rachel Tilly
Harrogate Ladies through to last 16 of National Cup
EH Cup: 21st October 2012 v Northampton (Away)
Harrogate Hockey Ladies march onwards in the England Hockey Investec Cup after a resounding 4-0 win against Northampton Saints.
Following a disappointing 2-2 draw away to Pendle Forest in the league on Saturday, and without key players Lydia Clissitt and Charlotte O’Brien, Harrogate travelled to Northampton on Sunday to take on the recently relegated National League side and win a chance to progress to the last 16 of the EH Cup.
From the whistle Harrogate began to move the ball around with urgency and precision, pressing forwards with excellent driving runs from Shelly Harrison and Emma Swarbrick testing the Northampton defence.
Gate were soon on the score sheet when new signing Hannah Wright picked up a loose ball in the D and fired home the opening goal.
Rattled, Northampton stepped up their attacks, winning several short corners, but the defensive team of Laura Beardsmore, Cecilia Allen, Sue Pimblett, Emily Dunne and the in-form keeper Sam Swenson refused to be beaten.
Heading towards half time, Harrogate won another penalty corner which was beautifully worked by Sarah Gibson, setting up Shelley Harrison to score past the keeper.
As per the half time instructions from manager Heather Swarbrick Harrogate started the second half with composure and confidence; Gate’s Hannah Wright continued to control the middle of the pitch and Northampton struggled to pick off the excellent distribution of through balls. Rachel Tilly used her strength and skills to tire the defence.
Northampton had no answers to the electric pace of Charlotte Crossman as she successfully got behind the defensive line and attacked the circle. It was from the right that the third goal came. Emily Dunne’s mazzy dribble and shot into the D lifted up off a defender and Captain Tilly Hall’s half-volley bullet whizzed past the keeper into the bottom right.
Harrogate added to their tally when Man of the Match Laura Beardsmore crossed in a powerful ball for Ali Wales to deflect into the top right much to the delight of the loyal Harrogate supporters.
Gate were denied a late fifth by a superb goal line save from the Northampton keeper who scrambled the ball away.
Harrogate are now the only remaining Yorkshire side in the hockey cup competition and will take on National Premier League side (complete with Olympians) Bowden Hightown on 11th November.
Man of the Match: Laura Beardsmore, who incredibly can't do her own shoelaces, but luckily for us, can play awesome hockey!