Vikings progress to English Vase semis

Vikings Ladies won their English Hockey Association Vase quarter-final 4-1 against Oldham yesterday.

They'll now face defending champions East Grinstead in the semi-final in 13 days time.

Vikings started out well and went one up after 14 mins with a goal from Kim Carney from a penalty corner, then found it hard to settle and had what Carney describes as a stonewall penalty flick decision turned down.

Oldham then came back with a goal on the break and converted a one-on-one chance despite a diving effort to save it from Suzanne Slater.

Half time came and Vikings changed formation and came out strong in the second half.

Great passing around through the midfield laid on an excellent chance for Carney to convert a goal from an angle, shooting across the keeper and into the left hand corner.

Continuing good work from the Vikings defence limiting Oldham chances, with Hayley Crowe being on brilliantly distributing the ball out of defence.

Vikings then pushed hard again and managed to squeeze a goal into the near post at a tight angle.

Oldham did come back into the game a little and Sarah Pressley pulled off some great saves for the Manx girls.

Vikings broke again in force and fantastic movement from a long corner finished with a perfect lay in from Kirsty Cooper finding Katherine Gatherer at the back post to slot the fourth home.