Whitchurch Mens 1s  3  Bloxwich Mens 1s  7

The struggle for consistency is an on-going one for the young Whitchurch side.

From the start Bloxwich set the tempo of the game passing the ball quickly and dynamically around the pitch and despite Whitchurch’s best efforts they struggled to get and maintain possession of the ball as Bloxwich rushed into a comfortable 3-0 lead. The game could have changed in the last seconds of the half as the Bloxwich keeper was beaten by some neat passing and the ball scrambled off the goal line before Whitchurch could get the vital touch.

The second half saw Whitchurch take the game to Bloxwich and as the visitors sat back in a disciplined defensive line Whitchurch got what they needed so badly, time and space on the ball and this allowed their players to run, pass and upset the Bloxwich defence. Ben Lea leading the way with two penalty corner strikes and a clinical penalty flick in a 20 minute period.

Whitchurch continued to push for more goals but as they tired space opened in the midfield which Bloxwich exploited with a number of goals in the closing stages of the match.

Whitchurch ladies 2s 0                  Whitchurch ladies 1s  3

In an unprecedented event this weekend, Whitchurch 1^st’s played Whitchurch 2^nd’s with the Ladies 1^st’s clutching victory.

As the ladies of both sides jogged into their places, there were a few laughs and playful banter before the game faces prevailed. One thing was for sure, this wasn’t a friendly. The whites (1s) had pushback. The reds (2s) defence was strong, with Sally Pearce clearing the ball several times, just to be further attacked by the Ladies firsts. Laura Workman worked tirelessly to defend the 2nds goal in the first half, along with Laura Hollinshead and Helen Machin. Sharon English continued to put pressure on the Whites but Catherine Gresty, Nicola Workman and Claire Roberts just kept pushing forward.

The pressure just kept coming from the whites however, with Ellie Windsor and Hayleigh Busby defending valiantly for the 2s, even with teamwork from Vicki Price, Nina Hodges and Keeley Hathaway to attack. Until the whites got a short corner. With a great strategy and poise, Lisa Sullivan managed to shoot straight into goal, leading the Ladies 1st 1-0 at half time.

After some stern words and motivation speeches at half time, both Ladies teams were coming back with a fight. Jess Kimberley, Catherine Reese-Gresty and Nina Hodges pushed forward with ferocity, creating a shot on goal, however with the great skill of goalkeeper Phoebe Jones and defence Katie Plant and Becky Brookfield, the ball was sent towards the Ladies 1^st’s goal. Both Katie Plant and Emily Vernon made an attempt on the 1s goal however Ladies 1^st’s goalkeeper Gwyn Thomas-Rees sent the ball hurtling back towards Ladies 2^nd’s goal.

It was a bit of a scramble to obtain the ball for the next few tense minutes of the game, as the 1sts and 2nds fought for the ball. There were attempts from Jayne Williamson, Sue Read and Julia Neale, but the defence of the 2nds were strong and the struggle for a goal continued. This was broken up by a fantastic shot by Jess Kimberly firing high past the 2s keeper securing another goal for the 1sts.

In the last minutes of the game, inside the seconds dee was a blur of red and white shirts moving at a rapid pace. Helen Apperley was amazing support for goalkeeper Phoebe Jones, and further support was found in Emily Hilton. However some astonishing play from Catherine Reese-Gresty, Lisa Sullivan resulted in a last second goal for Sue Read, leaving the final score at 3-0 to the Ladies 1sts.

Whitchurch Mens Fathom  3  Bridgnorth Mens Fathom  0

The Men’s Fathoms team continued their winning streak by defeating Bridgnorth Fathoms 3-0 on Saturday.

It was a fairly well contested match despite the Whitchurch keeper not being brought into action. Simon Brincento led the line throughout the match and found Ellis Hickson unmarked in the Bridgnorth dee to open the scoring after 20 minutes catching the Bridgnorth keeper out of position.

Whitchurch extended their lead after a solo run from Aaron Shackleton resulted in Whitchurch being rewarded a penalty corner, which Ian Bones dispatched with a blistering shot.

Despite the loss of defender Richard Leigh through injury at half time Whitchurch continued to dominate the game and Ian Bones scored his second with the goal of the game firing the ball past the stranded Bridgnorth keeper.

Whitchurch ladies 1s  2   Wrexham ladies 2s  2

Whitchurch entertained Wrexham in a top of the table clash with a win for either team taking top spot in the league.

Whitchurch started the faster of the two teams and when within minutes Nina Hodges rounded the Wrexham keeper and some brilliant defending saw the ball scrambled off the line Whitchurch must have wondered if it was not to be their day. Whitchurch continued to apply pressure but Wrexham sat back and broke at every opportunity with the lightening pace of their centre half.

Whitchurch finally broke the deadlock as Sue Read met a cross from the right to deflect an unstoppable shot past the Wrexham keeper and give Whitchurch a precious half time lead.

Whitchurch started the second half as they finished the first with Sue Read scoring her second, twisting and turning away from the Wrexham defence before slotting the ball past the advancing keeper.

Whitchurch paid the ultimate price for pushing forward for a third goal leaving the Wrexham centre half with time and space which she ruthlessly exploited tearing through the Whitchurch defence setting up two goals in a matter of minutes.

Whitchurch had the final chance to take the points as again Nina Hodges broke the defensive line but her shot clipped the defenders stick taking it wide of the post. In the end both teams were happy with the result with Whitchurch 1s remaining top of the league.

Whitchurch ladies 2s  1    South Cheshire ladies 4

Despite early promise and Chloe Crump causing havoc for the South Cheshire defence with her pace the Whitchurch team conceded two early goals.

The South Cheshire keeper made two fantastic saves before Crump finally got her reward for her efforts scoring a blistering goal bringing Whitchurch back into the game.

The second half saw Whitchurch tighten up their defence but as they tired the supply of balls to the forwards dried up and South Cheshire took control of the match.

Despite the best efforts of Sally Pearce, Mel Reid and Natalie Hollins a wicked deflection broke the resolute Whitchurch defence and in the final minutes of the game South Cheshire scored their fourth.

Next week its derby match as Whitchurch 1s play Whitchurch 2s at the Whitchurch Leisure centre starting at 12.30.