South Division

Plym Valley 2,

Kingsbridge and Salcombe Cougars 3

On the back of league and Devon trophy success last season, the Cougars returned to action last Saturday.

Now competing in the South Division following their promotion, KS have fresh challenges in the form of new opposition, with a few familiar faces thrown in.

Travelling to Lipson in Plymouth, KS started the match well, despite some understandable first-game nerves, and soon held the majority of pressure and possession. Pinned in their own half Plym Valley could only manage occasional breaks which were well dealt with by the KS backs Gemma Harvey and Claire McIntosh.

Key to the Cougars continuous pressure was the superb work rate through the midfield from Sarah Budgen, Bex Darke, Lou Read, Emily Read and Fi Wadey.

Laura Kerly was unlucky not to open the scoring for KS in the early stages as she fired a blistering short corner just wide, closely followed by Helen Sy­mons, whose pacy dragflick flew inches wide.

KS dominated the midfield with constant movement and support off the ball, creating solid passing options as the halves retained possession in a great display of confident, structured hockey.

With great build-up play down both wings from Darke, Jess and Fern Tucker, KS became guilty of packing the D in their eagerness to score.

As the match turned the half hour point Plym Valley broke and managed to work a way into the KS's D to score a soft goal against the run of play.

This proved to be just the nudge that the Cougars needed.

Within two minutes they were level as a swift move down the right found Symons angling towards the D as Budgen broke to the back post in her spell at left wing. A nicely angled delivery from Symons saw Budgen sweep in with a crisp finish.

Two minutes later KS took the lead as the clock ticked towards half time.

Keeping their width well, Fern Tucker drove out on the right before cutting the ball inside to Symons, who turned inside the D to find space and vision for a deft slip to Laura Kerly which was clinically finished for a 2-1 lead at half-time.

KS restarted knowing that Plym Valley would be chasing an equaliser.

Play was evenly contested as Plym Valley fought for the midfield, with both sides looking for the edge.

After slow build-up, an uncharacteristic misjudgment from 'keeper Claire Jones, Plym Valley levelled.

The Cougars' performance dipped for a short spell after the unexpected equaliser before captain Chloe Harvey rallied the troops and KS retook control of the match.

Darke's blocked sweep saw Kerly engage her brain to lift the rebound over the now prone 'keeper and defender, only for it to be disallowed.

Knowing the win was now there for the taking, KS continued to pile on the pressure and a few minutes later delivered the goal of the game.

Bex Darke burst from the midfield and played a clever ball back to Fi Wadey. Cutting inside, Wadey slipped the killer pass on the angle to the waiting Kerly, who slotted home the winner with six minutes remaining.

Running out the game, KS held off a strong Plym Valley counter to earn a well-deserved first victory in this year's league campaign, with player of the match going to Fern Tucker for an outstanding performance at right wing.

The Cougars play their first home game against Exe seconds at KCC astro this Satur­day, with a 10.30 pushback and all supporters welcome.