Harrogate Hockey Club Ladies wrap up promotion with three games to spare

The Ainsty Road outfit beat Lytham St Annes 2-1 away from home, a result that ensures they will be playing in the Premier Division next term.

“It’s been eight years since we were in the North Premier and I am so happy and proud of the team to achieve this” said ‘Gate captain Laura Beardsmore.

“We have three matches left standing between us and the title, so we want to keep working hard until the end of the season.”

Having led the way for the majority of the season, Beardsmore’s unbeaten side remain four points clear at the summit, and could wrap up the title this weekend if they beat Morpeth and second-placed Bowdon 2s fail to match their result.

Should Bowdon manage to win their fixture at struggling Stokesley, then ‘Gate know that they can still secure first-place by beating their rivals when the top-two meet on March 7.

Saturday’s clash with Lytham St Anne’s was played in difficult conditions, with strong winds blowing across the pitch.

Both sides adapted well, however, and it was ‘Gate who went on to draw first blood.

The visitors wereawarded a penalty-corner after April Leeson’s pin-point passfound Lucy Wood, who was fouled as she embarked on a mazy dribble towards goal.

The initial strike from the resulting set-piece was saved by the Lytham keeper, but Sarah Proctor was first to react to the rebound and she slotted home to break the deadlock.

Shortly before half-time, Harrogate were rocked when their hosts broke through the middle and managed to level the scores at 1-1.

Lytham enjoyed a sustained period of pressure at the start of the second period, launching wave after wave of attacks, but Beardsmore’s charges have the best defensive record in the league for a reason, and managed to repel everything that was thrown at them.

They then went down the other end of the pitch and some fine work down the right wing, by Wood teed up Proctor, who decided the contest, firing in her second of the afternoon from close to the penalty spot.

Elsewhere, Harrogate Men’s 1s’ slim North Premier title hopes were ended by a 3-1 home defeat to leaders University of Durham 2s.