Deeside Ramblers 3s 2  Whitchurch Ladies 1s 1

It was not the start that Whitchurch wanted to their season opener in Cheshire League 4. The early games in September always cause availability issues and this was no different. Whitchurch took the opportunity to field three new debutants in the first team and also the welcome return of Emma Harper after a two season break.

Whitchurch Ladies struggled to find their feet in the early stages of the match but as Whitchurch settled Laura Workman, Hayleigh Busby and Charlotte Lawder stepping up to play for the firsts made some good runs with the ball and support in defending the midfield. Deeside opened the scoring slotting the ball past Phoebe Jones in goal with a well struck penalty corner.

The second half saw Whitchurch maintain more possession of the ball and the pressure paid off when Emma Harper passed to Nicki Workman who ran straight through the heart of the Deeside defence and pushed the ball between the Deeside Keepers legs. Despite their best efforts Whitchurch couldn’t take advantage and a break resulted in Deeside taking the points.

Lisa Sullivan was awarded Player of the Match.

Whitchurch take many positives from this match and will go into next week’s match against Triton with added enthusiasm.

 

Whitchurch ladies 2s 0 Oxton ladies 3s 7

The score in no way reflected the majority of the game. Whitchurch started the game the stronger of the two teams but against the run of play Oxton grabbed their first as the ball was scrambled home.

As with the first team two debutants for Massie Owen and Francesca Dunne and also Back2hockey players Emma Clarke and Rachel Garnett both playing their first games in a number of seasons were in the thick of the play but Oxton didn’t allow the team to settle grabbing another brace before the break.

The second half provided much of the same as the first Whitchurch had periods of possession but couldn’t build on it. As the Whitchurch side tired Oxton took every advantage presented clinically and although disappointed by the result the performances reflected the strength and depth now available to the club over the coming season.