Bretforton Ladies 3,

Cheltenham 2

AN END to end and exciting match took place at Balcarras School in Cheltenham last Saturday when Bretforton found their form and produced some excellent attacking play.

Sophie Corbett, Lisa Work-man and Deb Slatter worked the Cheltenham defence ragged with some great moves as they fed the ball to forwards Andrea Cole and Julie Hall.

However, chances were created but none converted and it was the visitors who took a lead that was shortlived when Cor-bett found Workman with a great pass into the D and a neat finish evened up the score.

Slatter and Workman then combined to find Emily Aston who slipped the ball to Andrea Cole who gave the goalkeeper no chance to make it 2-1 at half-time.

The second half saw Chelt-enham come out fighting but it was player of the match Cole who came close on a couple of occasions to increasing her side's lead.

Workman also went close from a short corner but the sides were back on terms when desperate defence failed to keep out the home side.

Several short corners followed but Bobbie Handley, Jane Wheeler and Michaela Amp-hlett remained firm and their efforts were rewarded when Aston forced a short corner right on the final whistle.

Hall hit out perfectly for Slatter to stop and, with the last hit of the game, Corbett drilled the ball into the left-hand corner to earn the Vale side three well deserved points.

The match ball was sponsored by Glyme Picture Framing.

Bretforton II 1, Stroud 2

SATURDAY'S hard-fought match again ended in disappointment for the village side.

Although Stroud took control in the opening stages, Bret-forton strove hard to gain possession only to concede an unf- ortunate goal when a strike at a short corner was deflected into the net.

The home side again built up their play well and player of the match Kim Barry, fed well from a defensive position by Ceri Barber, combined with Kelsey Smith to produce several good attacking runs.

Several shots were fired in on goal while a stream of fine crosses from the left didn't find their way into the Stroud net.

However, s short corner routine led to the leveller when a strong strike from Kate Will-iams found its way into the goal.

The second half started well with Shirley Aubrey and Bernie Amphlett building up play in the centre. Sarah Bragg produced a strong run from a defensive position but her shot was off target.

Stroud then made several strong forays up the pitch where tired legs found it hard to keep up and caused Bretforton's defence to become overwhelmed at times.

Jude Edghill marked well and saves were made but Stroud were finally able to take advantage and double their lead.

The villagers fought on and created further chances from short corners but they were unable to convert, while frustration led to several cards being shown to both sides after over enthusiastic tackles.

The match ball was sponsored by Kiddywinks Nursery of Chipping Campden

Bretforton visit Dursley on Saturday for the final league fixture before Christmas.