Premier League Hockey: Bathurst City suffers second straight 1-0 loss after close battle with CYMS

But a penalty corner goal for CYMS' Courtney Hogan would prove enough to get the hosts their second win of the season, while City had to settle for consecutive 1-0 defeats.

The results show that City's defence is certainly containing their opponents well but a young group of forwards are still trying to find that clinical touch when the opportunities come their way.

And City coach Jill Long said those chances aren't rare.

"We had our share of penalty corners and shots but we just couldn't get them in, though we were very, very close," she said.

"They put up a great fight. Every game they're getting stronger so I have no qualms with how our girls went, the opposition were just a bit tougher than us."

City managed their structure well considering a couple of injuries they picked up during the match, with Emily Thompson brought down and Maggie Thompson taking a stick to the knee.

The back-to-back 1-0 losses - following round one's game against Parkes - could be seen as a tough blow to the squad by some, but Long said the tight margins should be giving her younger players plenty of confidence.

"They are a future team and they're proving that they're only one goal apart from these teams at this stage," she said.

"With a developing team you would sometimes expect to be beaten well by these strong teams but in this case we're only narrowly being beaten. We're doing well.

"Defence is doing well, as is our midfield, we just need those shots to find the back of the net.

"I thought Ruby Thompson did excellently in the halves. I had to put her there with injuries and players away and she did a great job."

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