All posts by Craig Hockenhull

Whitchurch Hockey match reports 19/09/15

Triton ladies 3s 0 Whitchurch Ladies 1s 6

Whitchurch bounced back from last week’s game to secure their first three points in Cheshire Division 4.

Whitchurch took the game to Triton from the start and took a deserved early lead with debutant Ashleigh Heath tapping in the opening goal. Whitchurch soon had a two-goal lead as Laura Workman was picked out unmarked in the opposition dee and calmly rounded the keeper. Lisa Sullivan made it 3-0 at the half-time interval firing an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner of the Triton goal.

The second half saw Sullivan score her second of the match with an individual piece of brilliance picking the ball up on the halfway line and driving through the Triton defence and blasting the ball past the advancing keeper.

Whitchurch defended in numbers and both Helen Machin and Natalie Hollins playing their first match for the ladies 1s helped the team quell any attacks Triton attempted.

Sullivan completed her hattrick receiving the ball at the top of the dee and firing past the Triton keeper. The final goal came from Laura Workman as one of her many runs in the game were picked out and she tapped the ball past the keeper.

Whitchurch 1s will entertain Sale 3rds next week at home.

 

Whitchurch ladies 2s 11 Runcorn ladies 2s 0

It’s been a long time in coming for the ladies second team and when it finally did they took full advantage of their chances.

Runcorn arrived with only 10 players and no goalkeeper and Whitchurch were in no mood to give them any opportunity. After two minutes debutant Helen Hocknell scored from a penalty corner strike and Sue Read deflected in her first of the game after another couple of minutes.

Whitchurch continued to apply pressure and the goals continued to come with captain Julia Neale tapping in the third and Sue Read scoring the fourth and fifth before Hayleigh Busby scored her first for the club with a strike from the top of the dee to give Whitchurch a 6-0 lead at the break.

The second half saw Whitchurch continue to apply pressure to the Runcorn defence with Helen Hocknell scoring her second of the match before sister Clarrie Hocknell got in on the scoring after running through the Runcorn defence and slotting home.

Captain Julia Neale stepped up and converted a penalty flick before Sue Read completed the scoring with another brace and a five-goal haul in the game to complete a well-deserved victory for the ladies 2s.

The ladies 2s travel to Crewe next week to play their ladies 3s in a later pushback.

 

Whitchurch Mens 2s 1 Whitchurch Mens 1s 15

A new era commenced as Whitchurch men played their first game in the North West league. Whitchurch hopes to get the 1s promoted this season and begin to progress through the league structure. The result gave a strong indication that the strength and ability is there in abundance.

From the start of the game the 1s tore through the 2s defence with a combination of pace and intricate passing and within minutes and the 1s took control of the game with Martin Beecher grabbing his hattrick within the first fifteen minutes of the game. The 2s had opportunities to get back in the game but lacked the composure to finish at the vital times. Joe Nicholson scored two thunderous strikes and Ben Lea scored after dribbling past the advancing keeper to give the 1s a 8-0 lead at the break.

The 1s started the second half with the team pushing forward and they had an early warning when Aaron Swain in his first senior game in goal was brought into action to keep the 2s down. However the 1s didn’t heed the warning and minutes later Ellis Hickson grabbed a goal for the 2s. At this point the 1s started passing and moving the ball as in the first half.

As the 2s tired the 1s pushed home their advantage with a hattrick from captain Joel Leese, and a second half hattrick for Martin Beecher and further goals for Ben Lea and Joe Nicholson and a final goal Steve Lloyd.

The 1s entertain Wrexham 3s at home next week whilst the 2s travel to Runcorn 3s.

Ladies Match reports 12/09/15

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.

Academy success at County presentations.

Thursday evening saw a number of the Whitchurch Academy attending the Shropshire county presentation evening.

It turned out to be a great night for Whitchurch U13’s as they picked up the U13’s Central Venue League Playoff trophy.

Individual honours went to Aaron Swain and Hebe Dixon who were awarded  Players’ Player and Jake Wood who was awarded Coaches Player of the Season.

Well done to all!

County Under 13 Awards