Ladies Beat Newcomers Northampton

On Saturday they entertained bottom side Northampton Saints in their latest National League North Conference clash. Keen to avenge the disappointment of the previous week's performance at Loughborough, the home side took the game to their visitors from the first whistle and were rewarded on 8 minutes when Lisa Garbutt opened the scoring after good work from Abbie Brant. Doncaster doubled their advantage on 19 minutes, again Brant was the provider leaving Charlotte Tomlin with a simple tap in. On the stroke of half-time, skipper Emma Pledge added a 3rd capitalising on some poor defending at a penalty corner.

The 2nd half continued in much the same vein with Doncaster in complete control and it came as no suprise when Tomlin got her second 10 minutes into the half, the irrepressible Brant, again doing much of the hard work. Garbutt added a 5th 10 minutes from time and but for some wasteful finishing and fine goalkeeping from former Doncaster player, Sophie Ross, the scoreline may have been even greater than the 5 - 0 it ended up.

The result leaves Doncaster in 4th place in the table, 1 point behind leaders, Durham University

Alan Stoves

After a 7-0 defeat the previous week away at Loughborough students, it was important that Doncaster treated the bottom of the table visitors to a similar result. Thankfully, the home supporters didn't have to wait long before Lisa Garbutt opened up the bank account in the 8th minute. Swift, clean passing throughout the side led to plenty of opportunities to advance the score, which Charlotte Tomlin then capitalised upon, from some unselfish passing in front of goal by Abbie Brant. Several short corners were practiced throughout the first half and then Emma Pledge stole in on a rebound. 3-0 up at half time, Northampton never looked like recovering and it was the same decisive play throughout the second half. Lisa Garbutt continued to excel with darting attacking play and superb defensive coverage which, following the recent death of her father to prostate cancer, was a testimony to her superb attitude to Doncaster hockey this season. Tomlin, Brant, Courtney, Grace and Firth all made the visitor's lives unbearable and stole the ball from defenders' sticks with ease. Further goals were scored by Tomlin and Garbutt to finish the game at 5-0. The result takes Doncaster to 4th in the league with a positive goal tally again and travel away to newly amalgamated team Sunderland and Whitley Bay.

Rachel Smart