Hockey: Ladies 1s make perfect start to new campaign with stunning victory

After only eight minutes debutant Nicola Conway smashed the ball home after some neat play down the right-hand side to give the visitors the lead.

Lancaster dominated possession from start to finish and Conway grabbed her second just before half-time.

In the second half Julie Walker made it three with a fine finish on the turn before Walker grabbed her second with a carbon copy goal to make it 4-0.

Lancaster were solid through the middle, limiting Longridge into playing the long ball which Lancaster easily dealt with.

Another burst through the middle and Ali Standeven found the back of the net, before player of the match Conway grabbed her well-deserved hat-trick in the final minute of the game.

It was a fantastic display of hockey from Lancaster, who were rarely troubled at the back and ruthless in front of goal in what was a superb start to the new season.

Meanwhile, Lancaster 2s were also in action in Longridge, drawing 1-1 with their second team in what was a fine team performance.

Lancaster started the brighter of the two teams with Eve Dodd and Beth Fletcher both having shots on target which were saved by the home goalkeeper. Longridge soon got back into the game with Lancaster keeper Becca Halliwell being forced to make crucial saves to keep her team in the game.

The deadlock was broken at the start of the second half when Jayne Roper placed the ball past the Longridge ‘keeper to give Lancaster the lead, but Longridge were able to find an equaliser from a penalty corner to earn a draw.

*Lancaster 3s were in impressive form on Saturday, beating Longridge 3s 4-1 in what was a superb opening day home win.

Lancaster took the lead when captain Katie Adamson-Benz went on a solid solo run through the defence and her shot from the edge of the D flew into the back of the net.

Helen Clegg then powered the ball through midfield finding Louise Didsbury in the D, who shot towards goal, finding Emma Moore who successfully tapped the ball over the goal line to give the home team a 2-0 half-time lead. Diana Taylor earned her shared player of the match award with Meg Tudor when she tackled a defender and drove the ball down the pitch, straight into the D with a successful shot on goal to make it 3-0.

Longridge then caught Lancaster by surprise and got on the scoresheet, but Lancaster quickly fought back as Moore scored her second of the game to make it 4-1.