The Academy and Back2hockey both started at 10.00am this week and despite the wet weather were both well attended and enjoyed by all. All details can be found on the website at www.whitchurchhockeyclub.com or by contacting secretary@whitchurchhockeyclub.com

Whitchurch ladies 1s 11 – Triton ladies 2s 1

Whitchurch 1s dominated from the off in this exciting opening game at home against Triton 2s.

Millie Edwards opened the scoring with a goal from some well worked passing. Whitchurch were controlling the play nicely receiving and passing around Triton. Holly Jepson quickly followed to double up the lead. Triton then pulled one goal back from a short corner, giving Whitchurch a wake-up call not to relax yet. Goals then flew in from the reds with Grace Berry getting a hatrick and Hebe Dixon scoring 1, giving them a comfortable lead of 6-1at the half time.

Whitchurch then came out just as strong in the second half.

Triton defended well as Whitchurch had a string of short corners, goals were converted thick and fast. Millie Edwards and Hebe Dixon both scored 2 more each, giving them both hatricks. Whitchurch kept the pressure on right to the end but not before Grace Berry scored her forth. Making the final score 11-1. Player of the match was given to Hebe Dixon for her excellent play.

Whitchurch Mens 2s 0 Crewe Mens 3s 1

With the league fixtures for the men’s teams not starting for another fortnight, the Reds welcomed Crewe to a wet SJT for a friendly match, on Saturday, as part of the build-up to the new season. The team combined a few of the regular 1s, a couple of the more experienced (or at least older) 2s, and a number of the younger players from the 2s including three 13 year olds who will be playing their first full seasons of senior hockey.

Following the recent injury to regular 2s goalkeeper, Neil Jones, young Euan Morris was drafted in to fill the vacant keeper spot. This proved to be more of a challenge than it should have been due to Euan outgrowing all of the club’s goalkeeping kit. Five minutes into the game a fully assembled Euan made it onto the pitch!

Whitchurch shaded the first half possession and territory but Crewe were always a threat on the counter-attack.

Jack Barnes and Pete Scales, supported by Joe Coburn controlled the middle of the pitch and found outlets on the wings in Jacob Buckeridge and Ben Kimberley. For all of Whitchurch’s good possession, they struggled to break into the crowded Crewe dee, as the away side were happy to sit deep and play long balls forward to their attackers.

Crewe breaks were ably dealt with by Airan Jones’s interceptions with Danny Foulkes sweeping up anything that got passed Airan. With Doug Buckeridge and Will Snaith stifling the attacks from the wings, Euan Morris was having a quiet time in goal.

As the half progressed, Whitchurch made more inroads towards the Crewe goal. The visiting keeper was forced into a couple of sprawling saves and the Crewe defending became a little more desperate. Jack Barnes smashed the ball in from the right hand side of the dee, but the goal was ruled out.

Despite having no real chances, Crewe took the lead towards the end of the first half. A quickly taken free hit on the edge of the dee caught Whitchurch on their heels and a speculative drive from a tight angle beat Euan at the far post.

Whitchurch came out with renewed vigour in the second half and completely dominated the game.

They continued to drive forward through the centre of the pitch, with Tom Forster and Craig Hockenhull adding to the Whitchurch threats. Joe Faithfull provided good width and found himself with a couple of half chances in the Crewe dee, and 13-year old Ethan Gresty, playing his first senior match, had good moments on both left and right wing.

But still the goals wouldn’t come. Jack Barnes and Tom Forster both went close from short corners, and Craig Hockenhull, Ben Kimberley, Jake Wood and Pete Scales all had shots at goal blocked by Crewe defenders or saved by the visiting keeper.

Crewe continued to try and hit Whitchurch on the counter, but other than one attack that forced Euan into a couple good kicks, Crewe were unable to get the ball near the home goal.

Ultimately, Whitchurch were unable to find the goal that their domination of territory and possession warranted and Crewe ran out 1-0 winners.

Sandbach ladies 2s 3 Whitchurch ladies 3s 2

Whitchurch ladies 3s travelled to Sandbach on a wet morning with only 10 players after two late withdrawals.

Whitchurch took the game to Sandbach from the start and their direct play and hard work saw Holly Gilbert score the opener and give Whitchurch a deserved half time lead.

Whitchurch scored their second when an Annie Buckeridge shot was deflected in by the Sandbach defender.

As Whitchurch started to tire Sandbach took full advantage of the numerical advantage to take the three points by the end of the match.

Stand in keeper Molly Fry was awarded players player.

Wrexham ladies 2s 6 Whitchurch ladies 2s 0

Whitchurch travelled on a wet day to play against Wrexham who had come down from the league above this season. Whitchurch struggled from the start to cope with the speed of passing and a pitch they weren’t used to.Whitchurch had to play a mainly defensive game for long periods but there was still some bright moments with some good runs through the middle of the pitch from Becky Brookfield, Izzy Huxley and Phoebe Jones.

Whitchurch had their best chance of the half breaking down the left side of the pitch through Martha Teggin and Jones who picked out Sue Read in the dee but an excellent save from the Wrexham keeper prevented any celebration.

Jess Kimberley, Emma Clarke, Martha Teggin and Chloe Lloyd worked tirelessly in defence to keep Wrexham at bay but Wrexham finally slipped through the cracks of the Whitchurch defence and slipped the ball past the advancing Whitchurch goal keeper Gwyn Thomas-Rees and give Wrexham the lead.

Whitchurch regrouped at halftime and started to settle allowing them more possession and to slowly move the ball further up the pitch with the strengths of Edina Jones, Phoebe Jones and Ellie McEvoy picking out Read in the Wrexham dee but again the advancing goal keeper frustrated the Whitchurch attack.

Wrexham took advantage of the tiring Whitchurch side and slipped another 5 goals bringing the score up to 0-6. Whitchurch didn’t let this get to them as they kept on applying the pressure but to no reward.

Next week Whitchurch will be playing at home against Crewe Vagrants ladies 4 starting at 12.00.