HOCKEY: Swindon still waiting (From Swindon Advertiser)

HOCKEY: Swindon still waiting

2:40pm Wednesday 11th March 2009 in Sport

SWINDON are still in search of a much-needed win in Premier Division Two after their trip west to third-placed Bristol UWE resulted in a 4-2 defeat.

The action took place on a bobbly pitch which looked as if it would give the hosts a significant advantage.

But UWE were shocked by Swindons early play and within five minutes Neil Couling fired the visitors ahead.

From a saved short corner, Couling hit a rocket of a shot that gave the UWE goalkeeper having no chance.

UWE then started to control the game and they were aided by Swindon causing many problems for themselves.

The hosts controlled the majority of the half and scored four goals during this period, but Swindon will regret their poor defending and missed opportunities to clear.

On the stroke of half time Swindon gave themself a hope of getting back into it thanks to Craig Sage, who scored from an acute angle.

In the second half the visitors re-shaped their defence and this resulted in them controlling the second half.

Parsons, Wickens, Couling and Sage were outstanding as they coped with the aerial balls, and goalkeeper Gough was doing his bit to keep the home side at bay.

The Swindon forwards were not having such a good time at the other end, as they were either confronted with tight defending or were frustrated by umpiring decisions.

When the final whistle came, Swindon had put in an impressive second half performance, but it did not stop them coming away with nothing.

This weekend Swindon are at home to league strugglers City of Bath as they look to record their first win in some time.

Swindon Ladies travelled to bottom of the league Redland on Saturday and recorded a 4-0 win.

The first half ended scoreless but after the interval captain Linda Brouwers, Vicki Martin (2) and Kath Fry ensured an easy victory.

The team travelled back to Bristol the following day to face league leaders Clifton.

Victoria Humphries hammered underdogs Swindon in front but in the second half, key visiting defender Karen Churms was substituted with a face injury.

Clifton took advantage and peppered the Swindon goal in the final 15 minutes.

The hosts scored from a wicked deflected strike that goalkeeper Sarah Anstey could do nothing about, and it stayed 1-1 until the end.