Bretforton 4, Cirencester 1

THE Evesham High School hosts made the better start and good play from Sophie Corbett and Blanch Surman enabled Deb Slatter to score a lovely reverse stick goal to open the scoring.

Bretforton kept the Cirences-ter defence fully occupied and a short corner saw Gilly Wright pick out Corbett to double her side's lead at the break.

With Bretforton well into their stride, Slatter picked up the ball on halfway and took it into the D. The resulting shot was saved by the keeper but Andrea Cole popped in the rebound.

Player of the match Slatter again proved too much to handle as she outpaced the defence and rounded the keeper to score her second.

The visitors were allowed back into the and snatched a consolation but the defence of Bobbie Handley, Lorna Beddis, Jane Wheeler and Kate Mitc-hell remained solid.

The match ball was sponsored by Marcus Jordan Construction Ltd.

This Saturday's league game is at Devizes.

The next day, Bretforton made the long journey to Luton to play in the first round of a National Cup competition.

They made an excellent start with Slatter, Corbett and Lisa Workman all combining well to make chances and it was Corbett who broke the deadlock following a short corner.

Another similar set-piece brought the visitors a second goal as Workman netted from an acute angle.

Luton came out with all guns blazing in the second half and managed to pull a goal back.

Despite sustained pressure the Bretforton defence of Beddis, Handley, Wheeler and Lesley McKinnon again stood form while keeper Vicky Webb produced some fine stops.

However, with five minutes, left on the watch, Luton were awarded a short corner from which they levelled.

Extra-time and the "golden goal" rule ensued and Bretfor-ton came close in the first minute through Slatter.

Chances, however, were at a premium and it was left to penalty flicks to decide the winner.

It was heartbreaking for the travellers as they succumbed 3-2 after successful strikes from Corbett and Slatter.

Cheltenham CS 1, Bretforton II 0

A DEFENSIVE error cost Bretforton at least a point from Saturday's Severn league first division clash at Dean Close School.

Player of the match Fiona Jordan did her best to rally the visitors who conceded what proved to be the winner as half-time approached.

Defences were on top after the break and only a late short corner threatened to land Bretforton with an equaliser until an umpire's intervention foiled their set-piece routine.