Petroc league one

Kingsbridge and Salcombe Cougars 2,

Sidmouth and Ottery 1

After a scrappy win the previous week, the Cougars were looking for a better performance as they continued their league season in bitterly cold weather last Saturday.

Starting well, the Cougars looked to be be back on track for their killer early goal as play was built solidly around the 'D' and Abi Bell fired just wide from close range after four minutes.

Ottery soaked up the pressure and looked to threaten on the break, opening their account with seven minutes gone

Undeterred, the Cougars remained focused on their game and began to push through the Ottery defence down the inside channels.

Bex Darke was posting strongly to provide distribution options for KS as Chloe Harvey looked to lead out behind her markers and cause some mischief.

Providing the spark that the Cougars needed, Harvey collected at inside left and drove into the centre channel past her marker, angling into the 'D'; captain Helen Symons' run took her defender out of the picture and made space to receive Harvey's slip pass.

With a deft touch, Symons returned the pass to Harvey, who picked up on the run and placed her shot with pinpoint accuracy into the far corner to bring the Cougars level with 20 minutes gone.

Heather-Jo Webber looked strong on her return as KS continued to create chances. Rachel Roberts and Hannah Durrans both came close in goal-mouth scrambles while Symons' drag flick flew inches over the bar from a well-worked short corner.

With continued pressure the Cougars took the lead five minutes later as Darke spread the ball wide to Nic Bowes.

Breaking through on the left, Bowes' initial shot could only be parried by the 'keeper as she pounced on the rebound, fired back towards goal and saw her shot lift off a defender's stick and past the outstretched 'keeper.

Having established a lead, KS still looked for another goal to create some breathing space, but Ottery fought back well and still looking dangerous when in possession.

Taking a breather during the half-time break, KS looked to refocus on support within their formation and lifting their workrate to create simpler passing opportunities.

As the match restarted, Gemma Harvey and Fi Wadey linked well at the back, breaking from defence when the opportunity arose and driving strongly into the midfield to exploit gaps in the Ottery press.

Emily Read and Sarah Budgen covered their sides solidly and shut down any attacks from Ottery.

Ottery made good use of space through the centre and used clever passing to break through on a few occasions, calling stand-in 'keeper Claire Jones out to make several key saves to protect the Cougars' lead.

More used to patrolling the right-back position, Jones' cat-like reflexes between the posts showed their worth with a superb save midway through the half.

Lucy Croft delivered another great performance during spells at left-half and left wing, showing her versatility, denying Ottery any way forward when covering the half position and slipping in at the back post to deflect a cross just wide when attacking down the left.

Without a sparring partner to distract her this week, Lou Read was an oasis of calm in the middle of the pitch, distributing very well.

Showing true Cougar spirit, Symons battled throughout the game to create chances and pepper the Ottery goal with shots, unlucky not to extend the KS score on several occasions.

The second half finished goalless as the whistle blew on a 2-1 victory for KS to see them remain tied at the top of the league with Torbay.

With a partial return to their pre-Christmas form, it was good to see the Cougars moving confidently with the ball as sparks of their best form showed through.

With some crucial games coming up, a refresher weekend with the coaching team at One Hockey and return to simplicity of play should see the Cougars dominating again in due course.

KS play local rivals Dart at KEVICC school in Totnes this Saturday at 12.30 with all support welcome.