England Masters Hockey Knockout Plate

Eastcote Masters 2 Gloucestershire Masters 3

GLOUCESTERSHIRE Masters gave a convincing performance to beat Eastcote Masters 3-2 in the England Hockey Knockout Plate.

Having absorbed some early pressure, Gloucestershire took control of the first half, stretching the Eastcote defence and creating an opportunity for Andy Fraser to tap in the opening goal.

Martyn Richards and Martin Palmer kept up the Gloucestershire attacks, but it was only in the last play of the first half that Gloucestershire added to their goal tally.

Roger Britton forced a penalty corner, which was converted by Fraser from a rebound off Brian Stokes’ shot.

The third goal was an unstoppable shot from Palmer which beat the Eastcote goalkeeper at his near post.

Eastcote then changed their forward line and had a 10-minute spell of intense pressure which resulted in two goals and a tense final 15 minutes to the match.

Gloucestershire's defence stood firm under the direction of captain Nick Grimshaw and they closed out the game with an impressive display of possession hockey.

This result gives Gloucestershire Masters a quarter final match against Yorkshire on March 8 at Newent.