Published: 24/11/2009 00:00 - Updated: 27/11/2009 10:58

Ladies’ win is Taylor-made

HOCKEY

BURTON ladies reached the halfway point of their season with an emphatic 5-0 win at Charnwood Sileby.

Burton are now eight points clear at the top of Midlands Division Two and remain unbeaten, having dropped just two league points.

A back-to-strength Burton side started in a determined manner, creating two excellent scoring opportunities inside the opening minutes.

They played a fast, accurate passing game which left Charnwood chasing for much of the game.

However, it was the hosts who came closest to opening the scoring when, in the 15th minute, they attacked through the centre and forced an outstanding diving save from goalkeeper Becky East.

The visitors played with precision and patience as they continued to threaten without much luck but, in the 30th minute, Emma Cooper threaded a pass through to Nicola Taylor, who scored the opening goal.

In the second half, Burtonʼs superior skill and fitness shone through, with both Amy Palmer and Taylor close to adding to Burtonʼs score within seconds of the restart.

The visitors were in full control and, in the 37th minute, Taylorʼs blistering shot was parried by the Charnwood keeper, only for the rebound to fall to Nadia Waller, who made no mistake for Burtonʼs second.

Ten minutes later, an in-form and on-fire Taylor made it 3-0 with a superb reverse-stick shot.

By this stage the game was being played in the Charnwood half, so it was no surprise when Taylor completed her hat-trick when scoring Burtonʼs fourth.

Then, six minutes later, Taylor wrapped up the win with a wicked deflection that defeated the Charnwood defence and ended up in the goal for her fourth of the match — her 18th of the season.