Feds knocked off Zig Zag at Lithgow to chalk up victory number one for the season on arguably the toughest road trip for any Orange hockey club.

Newly crowned NSW Country representative Millah Allcorn bagged one of Feds’ goals while Ellie Purtell also found the back of the goal to stave off a late rally from Ziggies.

The hosts scored in the second half through Halle Roberts to reduce the margin to just one goal and give coach Fiona Reith a few heart flutters.

But the young Feds girls hung tough at the death to come away with a morale-boosting four points, after a month of losses to open the 2018 PLH season.

“Yep, a very hard-fought win,” a relieved Reith said. “Zig Zag does not give up. 

“Their goalkeeper had an amazing game. We probably had the majority of possession and she thwarted at least eight genuine goal scoring opportunities.

“It’s a really good win for the girls who are working hard on and off the field.”

Feds is a young side this season, but one capably led by experienced stars in Ellen Warner and Rach Pengilly.

Those players alongside the likes of Allcorn and young-gun Eva Reith-Snare, Confederates boasts a roster capable of winning and pressing for a spot in the top five.

Those ambitions will be tested in the next fortnight, though, when Feds lines up next to competition leaders CYMS and then Ex-Services in back-to-back Orange derbies.

Reith said, regardless of results, she’s pleased with how the team is transitioning, with most of the girls fresh out of junior hockey.