BRACKNELL Hockey Club Ladies 1sts secured a vital 2-1 win in their local derby with Wokingham 1st on Saturday.

Going into the match, the pair occupied two out of the bottom three places in the Trysports Premier Division but victory for Bracknell moved them four points clear of their rivals, earning them their first win in seven games in the process.

Yellie Powley and Liz Goodey were the goalscorers for Bracknell but Lyndall Halkyard had another superb game, producing a match-winning save to deny Wokingham a late equaliser from a short corner.

Bracknell started the stronger and good work in the middle opened some opportunities for Goodey, Kelly Hancock and Caroline Apsey, but Wokingham gradually pushed forward and forced a very good save from Halkyard.

The visitors soon got on the scoreboard when Powley converted a short corner, but it was cancelled out by Wokingham before half time to make it one apiece. Both sides started the second half determined to take all three points and the importance of the game was evident with a flurry of yellow and green cards for Wokingham.

Bracknell kept their composure though and after a series of short corners, regained the lead when Goodey followed up on a loose ball to coolly slot past the keeper.

As the game drew to a close Wokingham pressed forward desperate for an equaliser and they almost got one.

A short corner was awarded in the last play of the game but a dramatic save low on the post by Halkyard ensured a crucial win for Bracknell, not to mention the local bragging rights.

Bracknell have three games left to play this season, starting with a trip to Oxford University Ladies 2nds this Saturday (12.10pm) followed by a daunting trip to league leaders Oxford Hawks on April 6.