HARWICH AND DOVERCOURT 4

GRASSHOPPERS LADIES 1

Suffolk Women’s League premier division

EMMA Joslin smashed a hat-trick as Harwich produced an excellent victory – despite being without influential trio Sophie Berryman, Josie Brosnan and Nikki Kudela.

They are now well clear in third place in the table.

Harwich started the stronger and camped in the visitors’ half.

Several chances went begging, before a superb short corner move saw Joslin turn the ball into the net.

This spurred the visitors on and the game opened up.

Just before half-time, Joslin got her second with a good shot after a rebound.

The second half saw lots more Harwich pressure, with Fi Wynne causing havoc with her crossing.

After Wynne had seen her shot crack off a post, Joslin completed her hat-trick with another good shot.

The home defence were then caught on the break and the visitors pulled one back.

However, with two minutes to go, more home pressure saw Rachel Griffin lift the ball into the top of the net from the edge of the circle.

This was an excellent victory, with twins Caz Greenall and Griffin causing the visitors’ problems.

The team performance was again excellent, with Fliss Johnson fitting in well on the wing and youngsters Gabby Wiliams and Abbie Henshall playing beyond their years.

Debutant Lucy Henshall, just 13, held her own in an unaccustomed role in midfield.

The back three of Tracey Eagle, Donna Garland and Jess Joslin are really combining well and getting forward at every opportunity.

Tomorrow, Harwich are away in Ipswich, visiting Christchurch’s second team.

Meanwhile, there has been more good news for the club with midfielder Emma Joslin making the Suffolk under-16 squad and 12-year-old goalkeeper Miah Reynolds being selected for the Suffolk under-14 squad.

Both will now train with the Suffolk Hockey Junior Academy squads.

Joslin has been playing since she was capable of holding a stick and is now progressing her hockey further, playing at a higher standard.

Reynolds only qualifies for her first Harwich team game in February, when she turns 13.

However, she has already impressed county selectors and has been promoted up an age group to under-14.

Both girls will be training with their representative squads preparing for games in May.