Oldham's first home game of the season saw them face The Downs who made the long journey from Surrey. Oldham were fast out of the blocks with some good defensive pressure from the back four of Kerry Almond, Emma Dovey, Taylor Cullen and Gabs Marshall. However, a sloppy end to the quarter saw The Downs string a few passages of play together not letting Oldham get too far out of sight, the first quarter finished 14-7.
The second quarter was goal for goal for the first five minutes, until Oldham started to move through the gears instigated by some great combination play between Maria McAndrew, Kathryn Turner and Amy Clinton. It allowed Oldham to go on a run of five unanswered goals. Oldham led 29-15 at the half time break.
The second quarter was goal for goal for the first five minutes, until Oldham started to move through the gears instigated by some great combination play between Maria McAndrew, Kathryn Turner and Amy Clinton. It allowed Oldham to go on a run of five unanswered goals. Oldham led 29-15 at the half time break.
Oldham started the third quarter brightly with some great shooting from the newly introduced Krista Enziano, fellow substitute Abby Tyrrell came on with impact and got several deflections at goal defence.
However, The Downs were allowed to pile on the pressure with several unforced errors by the home team. They finished the quarter with a run of eight unanswered goals and Oldham lost their first quarter of the game.
Going into the last quarter 12 goals to the good, coach Debbie Hallas opted to revert to the starting line-up bringing back Dovey at goal defence who rekindled her dominant defensive partnership with Almond. While, Clinton returned at goal shooter. Oldham regained their form and pushed on with Mizuno player of the match, Amy Clinton, calmly slotting the goals away. Her accuracy resulting in a convincing win by 20 goals. The final score was 55-35 and Oldham maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
Coach Debbie Hallas commented: "We showed some brilliance through the court and when we play like that teams struggle to live with the speed, however, we need to be more consistent through the game. This is coming now that we are three games into the season. Amy Clinton was reliable as ever under the post while Maria McAndrew and Gabs Marshall played well in the middle."
"In defence I love the understanding between Kerry Almond and Emma Dovey, their switch play was fantastic and they turned over a lot of ball."
Squad: K Almond, E Dovey, A Tyrrell, S Armstrong, T Cullen, G Marshall, I Darroch, M McAndrew, K Turner, L Stevenson, A Clinton, K Enziano
Oldham travel to Essex next weekend to face New Cambell but will be without three key players, Marshall, Darroch and Clinton who are in England U21 training.
However, The Downs were allowed to pile on the pressure with several unforced errors by the home team. They finished the quarter with a run of eight unanswered goals and Oldham lost their first quarter of the game.
Going into the last quarter 12 goals to the good, coach Debbie Hallas opted to revert to the starting line-up bringing back Dovey at goal defence who rekindled her dominant defensive partnership with Almond. While, Clinton returned at goal shooter. Oldham regained their form and pushed on with Mizuno player of the match, Amy Clinton, calmly slotting the goals away. Her accuracy resulting in a convincing win by 20 goals. The final score was 55-35 and Oldham maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
Coach Debbie Hallas commented: "We showed some brilliance through the court and when we play like that teams struggle to live with the speed, however, we need to be more consistent through the game. This is coming now that we are three games into the season. Amy Clinton was reliable as ever under the post while Maria McAndrew and Gabs Marshall played well in the middle."
"In defence I love the understanding between Kerry Almond and Emma Dovey, their switch play was fantastic and they turned over a lot of ball."
Squad: K Almond, E Dovey, A Tyrrell, S Armstrong, T Cullen, G Marshall, I Darroch, M McAndrew, K Turner, L Stevenson, A Clinton, K Enziano
Oldham travel to Essex next weekend to face New Cambell but will be without three key players, Marshall, Darroch and Clinton who are in England U21 training.