Sevenoaks women: 4

Southgate women: 0

SEVENOAKS' women's first team registered another win in the England Hockey National League East Conference after a good performance against struggling Southgate.

Despite the gap between the two sides in the table, Oaks were not expecting a walkover, especially given that Southgate had held leaders Ipswich to a 1-1 draw until the final minute the previous week.

Oaks started positively, with Anna Frizoni, Katy Barnett and Nikki Lloyd creating early chances. Southgate had one notable effort in the first half, which was tipped over the crossbar by keeper Gill Thomson.

Oaks took the lead after 20 minutes when Beth Begg's snap shot found the back board, following good play on the right from Frizoni.

Five minutes later, Lloyd had doubled it with an exquisite reverse-stick shot that looped over the Southgate goalkeeper, and just before half-time Oaks took the game further beyond the reach of Southgate with a third goal coming from Barnett.

In the second half, Oaks employed different pressing tactics, which asked questions of the Southgate defence. At times this created space for the Sevenoaks attack, which was exploited well. Sophie Crosley used her pace to burst from midfield and cause problems on the right.

Southgate had their best spell late in the game and were unlucky not to recoup a goal when they put the ball into the net just as the whistle had been blown for a foul.

Otherwise, Oaks dealt with any threats.

Player of the match Jacqui Ward, who found herself in an unfamiliar left-half position for this game, was excellent in defence and used her skills well to build play out of the left corner.

In the last minute, Jet Van Zalen broke through for a one on one with the keeper, whom she rounded with assurance before slotting home for a final 4-0 score.