Whitchurch Ladies 2s 1 Crewe Vagrants Ladies 2s 2

Whitchurch faced a high-flying Crewe side and were dealt a blow when one of their players withdrew with illness before the start.

Whitchurch took the game to Crewe from the start and camped high up the pitch for the first ten minutes of the game. Catherine Reece-Gresty bravely diving into a tackle received a blow to the head as the ball defected off sticks which ruled her out for the remainder of the match.

Whitchurch rearranged the formation with Captain Emma Stubbs controlling and organising the team from defence supported brilliantly by Poppy Huxley and Lucy Hearn.

Lisa Sullivan controlled the midfield supporting the defence and also creating the Whitchurch attacks setting off the Whitchurch attacks down the right wing through Poppy Gilbert and down the left via Freya Gresty.

Despite their best-efforts Whitchurch tired as the half went on and Crewe took the lead before halftime.

Whitchurch continued the second half much as the first, but Crewe took full advantage of their extra players and the space it gave them to draw a series of fine saves from keeper Caroline Wynn.

Whitchurch continued to push forward and Phoebe Jones broke from the halfway line only to see the diving keeper smother her shot.

Whitchurch had a string of well worked penalty corners which saw Gresty deflect past the post before Sophie Jones slotted her shot into the bottom corner.

Crewe finally broke through the Whitchurch defence and scored a second, but Whitchurch managed to frustrate them and deserve great credit for their efforts playing the majority of the game with only nine players.

 

Whitchurch Mens’s 2s 4 Knutsford Men’s 2s 5

Whitchurch fielded their youngest team of the season containing only three Over 18s against an experienced Knutsford team. The game remained very even with Knutsford using their experience to control the game and Whitchurch using their speed and fitness to cause havoc on the break.

Whitchurch took an early lead when a Will Edwards shot was deflected home by Harry Foulkes on the back post. Knutsford soon drew level with a well worked short corner.

Whitchurch then had a series of penalty corners from which Danny Foulkes gave Whitchurch the lead and Knutsford again drew level with another penalty corner to leave the scores level at the break.

Knutsford came out after the break and pressured the Whitchurch defence of Lucas Hill, Charlie Edwards, Liam Pallet and Thomas Wyndham Lewis with the occasional diving save required from captain Neil Jones.

Knutsford took the lead for the first time in the match. Whitchurch continued to move the ball at pace down the wings via Niko Moga and Olivier Edwards and this led to Joe Chesters breaking into the dee to draw Whitchurch level.

Whitchurch again drew ahead as an Archie Phews pass was struck by Tom Edwards at goal hitting the defender on the line. Chesters calmly stepped up and converted the penalty flick.

Knutsfords experience showed in the last 10 minutes as the Whitchurch team tired and some frustration showed Knutsford scored two quick goals to give them the victory.

 

Crewe Vagrants Men’s 2s 2 Whitchurch Men’s 1s 0

Whitchurch had a tough game this week against league-leaders Crewe and went into it knowing they would have to play some of their best hockey to get a result from this game. They came up against a well-drilled, skilful and technically astute team who applied pressure from the first whistle. Paul “Sturge” Leigh was in action several times, making critical blocks and diving saves to keep Crewe at bay, but Crewe’s high press meant there was little time for the Reds to build up play without being closed down, and any slight mistakes were taken advantage of quickly.

Crewe deservedly went ahead with two well-worked goals, including a nicely played short-corner routine after a lucky call on a Whitchurch foul, where they’d adjusted their routines to skip the first strike and instead fire at someone running in with a flat stick, which popped the ball over Sturge at high speed. The Reds, though, struggled to find fluency, to keep hold of the ball, or to make enough runs forward, and half time was a welcome break.

The second half, though, probably represents one of the better halves of hockey that Whitchurch have played in a long while. The intensity, the marking, the running off the ball, the pass selection, the defending and the teamwork were all vastly better. It was Crewe getting frustrated, rather than Whitchurch, and the Reds put together some excellent passages of play, not letting their heads drop. There were no further goals in the game, but Whitchurch were in the ascendency and played the sort of hockey that would have easily had a draw or a win from the game had they been able to play that way in both halves.

Crewe were the better team over the whole game, and deserved their win, but Whitchurch can take a lot from a game against probably the best side in the league and will look to turn that to future successes.

 

Macclesfield Ladies 2s 1 Whitchurch ladies 1s 6

This week Whitchurch ladies travelled away to Macclesfield, doubtful, as they lacked a few regular players. Before long however, Whitchurch scored their first goal, with lovely play through the lines from Molly Fry and Holly Edwards, leading to a strike on goal from Mollie Bell, who had already run the down half the pitch.

This play continued, and a pass in from Jasmine Williams was converted into a second goal, this time from Bella Morris. Phoebe Gregory had her debut in the ladies 1s this game, making countless saves, with the help of Hermione Ball in defence. Despite this incredible play however, following a string of short corners against them, Whitchurch conceded a goal. This didn’t stop them though, and before long a third goal was scored by Whitchurch by Hayleigh Busby, from a beautiful reverse stick shot.

After a much needed break at half time, Whitchurch came back onto the pitch strong, and within minutes Mollie Bell scored a second goal. Tillie James and Chloe Lloyd held a solid defence on the right side of the pitch, keeping out any attacks from Macclesfield.

Despite the lack of subs, Whitchurch didn’t tire, and a fifth goal went in before long, from a deflection on post from Hayleigh Busby. As the final whistle blew, one last short corner was won by the team, which Cath Gresty put on the backboard, leaving the score at 6-1 as the game ended.

Ladies 1s are at home next weekend playing warrington.

Crewe ladies 3s 2 Whitchurch ladies 2s 1

Whitchurch started off the stronger team with some great passing between Lydia Jones, Lucy Hearn, Poppy Gilbert and Sophie Jones but Crewe’s defence was solid and stopped the ball getting to Sue Read up front

Whitchurch controlled the attacking field and within the next few minutes Whitchurch scored with textbook play passing from Hayley Kellett to Heidi Carr to Phoebe Jones who crossed in the ball to Sophie Jones who elegantly slipped it past Crewe’s goalkeeper.

Crewe came back very determined, but Emma Stubbs, Freya Gresty and Rachael Chester’s fought back defending the goal. The ball was passed up the pitch to Maisie Bennett, Poppy Gilbert and to Sue Read who then drove the ball through defenders and made many attempts on goal. Whitchurch dropped their guard for a minute and Crewe saw an opportunity taking Whitchurch by surprise scoring an equaliser.

The second half started off pretty much the same as the first! There was some great passing from Lucy Hearn , Lydia Jones, Heidi Carr and Phoebe Jones but again Crewe’s defence kept Whitchurch out of the Dee . Crewe seemed very determined and had multiple short corners all saved by goalkeeper Phoebe Gregory and the Whitchurch defence. Hayley Kellett made an amazing run one on one with Crewe’s forward and managed to keep her from taking a shot. Unfortunately, just before the final whistle Crewe scored leaving Whitchurch were very disappointed but for positive next week’s game when the play Winnington park.

Players player went to Hayley Kellett

Whitchurch ladies 1s 5 Golborne ladies 1s 2

Whitchurch ladies 1s entertained demoted Golborne 1s this Saturday and certainly showed them what they were made of.

The game’s first half was fast and feisty, Whitchurch attaching hard, but Golborne had a lucky break and scored within 5 minutes.

Whitchurch quickly fought back with a run along base line from Captain Cath Gresty and a great deflection by Georgia Munro. Defensive players Chloe Lloyd and Hayleigh Busby cleared any other opportunities that Golborne had in the first half, passing out to Tilly James and Mollie Bell.

Whitchurch settled into a great game and held strong positions, swamping Golborne. Some great triangular movements up the pitch by Jaz Williams, Captain Cath and Lisa Sullivan gave Munro a touch again to take the lead at half time.

After the break Golborne started as they did in the first half, with a strong pass up into the dee for them to score a second.

There were plenty of runs up the pitch by Bell and Sullivan putting plenty of pressure on the Golborne defence. Winning a run of short corners Bell made one count to take the lead 3-2.

Whitchurch worked well together to cut out any breaks Golborne had. Hermione Ball sent the ball up to forwards Bella Morris and Munro and a skilful run for Munro got her a hattrick and gave Whitchurch a comfortable 4-2 lead.

Golborne didn’t give up but began to tire, but keeper Holly Edwards again showed her calmness as took on the Golborne attacker to make an amazing save.

With 5 minutes to go Whitchurch continued the pressure and played mainly in the Golborne 25, Jasmine Williams scored from open play a 5th and final goal for Whitchurch.

Whitchurch ladies 3s 5 Alderley Edge ladies 7s 0

The ladies 3s received a walkover and 3 points after Alderley Edge failed to raise a team. The ladies 3s are now hoping for a regular run of matches up to the Christmas break.

Deeside Mens 4s 4 Whitchurch Mens 1s 4

Whitchurch returned to play after an extended break from half-term and a team withdrawing to play local rivals Deeside, and were frustrated not to come away with all three points after a strong start to a game which they dominated for large periods. The Reds began well, moving the ball around and making decent runs for each other, and the pressure paid off, with Luke Beddow’s persistence ensuring the scramble in front of the goal ended in his favour with a good shot through the keeper.

A second goal followed a few moments later as George Latham took the ball around their keeper for the second, and the momentum was fully with the Reds. The Deeside keeper was keeping them in the game, making several fine saves, but Whitchurch were working well as a team. Deeside did finally get a break, picking up a short-corner for a foot in the dee, and converting with a fine waist-high flick over Paul “Sturge” Leigh’s diving save.

Going into the break 2-1 up was a fair reflection of the first half. Captain Jack Barnes picked up the Reds’ third goal from a well-worked short-corner, but Deeside were getting short-corners of their own at the other end, and were converting them successfully to bring the scores level. Beddow continued to show his strong development with some excellent work at the back post from another Whitchurch short-corner, deflecting in the wide pass from Barnes to pick up his second and the Reds’ fourth, but a lack of composure late on in the second half meant that Whitchurch kept giving the ball away, making unnecessary passes, running into trouble and eventually it paid for Deeside, who picked up their fourth short-corner goal to level the scores at the final whistle.

A frustrating day, with plenty of excellent work undone by a drop in concentration and composure in the final minutes of the game meaning that the spoils were shared on a day that Whitchurch could have forged ahead in the league. They go again next week at home against Alderley Edge

Whitchurch started the season with all teams picking up points in the opening weekend

The ladies 1s and 3s both picked up points as the opposition failed to raise a team and subsequently were awarded the games.

Lymm Men’s 3s 1 – 2 Whitchurch Men’s 2s

Whitchurch Men’s 2s got their season underway with a hard-earned 2-1 victory away to Lymm 3s.

Both sides had flirted with relegation last season, so this was always going to be an important fixture for the two teams, even this early in the season. With home advantage, Lymm dominated possession in the early stages of the game. The much-changed Whitchurch side struggled to find their passes, and Lymm were quick to press forward on turnovers.

The away side’s defence, ably led by Danny Foulkes, repelled any Lymm forays. Lucas Hill and Airan Jones provided excellent cover and the home side struggled to make any progress into the Whitchurch dee.

Slowly, the Reds worked their way into the game and started to pose a threat on the counterattack. With Jacob Buckeridge and Ethan Gresty driving from midfield and penetrating runs on the right by Alfie Edwards on the right and Oliver Edwards on the left, Whitchurch were able to get the ball up to Craig Hockenhull in attack and threaten the Lymm goal.

The home keeper made a couple of useful saves from Hockenhull and a series of short corners came and went for Whitchurch.

With the game much more even in the latter stages of the first half, more short corners were won by Whitchurch. Eventually a clever shift of the ball by Hockenhull gave Gresty the chance to pick his spot and fire home the first goal of the game.

Another flurry of Whitchurch short corners followed the restart, and smart movement from Harry Foulkes, latching onto another clever Hockenhull pass, saw Foulkes fire the Reds into a 2-0 half-time lead.

Lymm reorganised for the start of the second half. A loss of possession in midfield caught Whitchurch out of position and allowed Lymm to quickly halve the deficit. But Whitchurch dug in.

Lymm enjoyed plenty of possession throughout the second half but struggled to break through the Reds defence. Chances for the home side were few and far between thanks to excellent defending throughout the team and a couple of useful clearances by Doug Buckeridge.

Despite not enjoying as much of the ball, Whitchurch were still a threat on the counterattack. Lucas Hill had an excellent half, stepping in to dispossess Lymm players and start attacks. Ollie Hayward and Charlie Edwards were tireless in providing options wide, and the midfield 3 of Gresty, Jacob Buckeridge and Harry Foulkes were a constant threat breaking into the Lymm dee to support Hockenhull.

Neither side could add to their goal tally and Whitchurch ran out winners by the odd goal in three. Either side could have won the game, but Whitchurch made the most of their opportunities and worked hard to keep hold of their lead.

Three 13-year-olds played their first matches in senior hockey, and none of Charlie Edwards, Ollie Hayward or Alfie Edwards looked out of place in the team. And the other young lads in Harry Foulkes, Lucas Hill and Oliver Edwards all continued their excellent progress from last season. It might be another challenging season for the Reds, but they have a win on the board and there are lots of reasons to be pleased with this game and to be optimism for the future.

The 2s next game is at home to Alderley Edge s on Saturday 1st October.

Whitchurch Men’s 1s 4 – Lymm Men’s 2s 0

Whitchurch started their season in fine fashion this week with a strong 4-0 win against Lymm, who fielded a young-but-talented team whose inexperience was more than made up for with speed and skill.

Both teams needed a few minutes to find their rhythm, but the game settled into a high-tempo affair, with both sides winning and losing the ball in midfield until the additional width from Whitchurch started to pay dividends and stretched the play and provide opportunities for attacks. It was a quick counter-attack that brought the first goal for Whitchurch, after Lymm’s strong work down the right broke down and a clearance freed Martin Beecher to run up the right and, while his initial shot was blocked, George Latham was on hand to pick up his first of the season, tidying up the rebound nicely.

Beecher picked up his own goal shortly after, as another break by Whitchurch gave him the time and space to run into the Lymm dee and his shot was strong enough to break through the block by the keeper and continue on into the goal. Whitchurch’s third goal was surrounded by some controversy as the ball had hit Tom Forster’s body, but it was off a Lymm stick so advantage was played and, while everyone else paused for a whistle that never came, Forster got a clean strike away and put the Reds three up at the break. Lymm could have got one back, but Paul “Sturge” Leigh was his ever-dependable self, with a diving save with his stick keeping out the opposition’s best chance.

The half-time talk by new 1s captain Jack Barnes was a recognition of the good things that had been done in the first half, and the encouragement to play to the Reds’ strengths in the second. Lymm were piling on the pressure and were unlucky not to capitalise on their hard-won short corner, but the Whitchurch defence was resolute and were able to turn that defence into quicker attack. Again, taking advantage of a quick break, Luke Beddow was clear in on goal with only the keeper to beat but was cleared out by the onrushing goalie – Joe Coburn stepped up to force the subsequent penalty stroke in, despite the keeper’s best efforts.

The last minutes of the game involved a number of chances from Whitchurch, with balls going just inches wide of the posts and some excellent passages of play with lovely one-touch passing and training-ground moves being implemented at pace and with precision. Lymm were not going down without a fight, and their attacks put the Reds under some pressure, but Sturge was on form again and Whitchurch worked well as a team to keep the ball safe until the final whistle.

A solid start to the season, with some great work but also things to work on. The 1s are away next week to Manchester 1s – a renamed team from one of the tougher matches last year, so will look to build on their success this week.

Alderley Edge Ladies 6s 0 Whitchurch Ladies 2s 5

After super success in the summer sevens league, the ladies 2’s went out feeling confident, for the first game of the season.

Whitchurch immediately dominated the game, with Jasmine Williams and Heidi Carr fearlessly driving forward and setting an unbreakable press on the opposition. Superstar sibling duo Sophie and Phoebe Jones worked tirelessly in the dee, with a plethora of shots on goal. Almost instantaneously, Whitchurch scored their first goal, with Lydia Jones expertly slotting the ball past the keeper. This boosted their moral, rapidly resulting in a first-class (first ever!) goal, from captain Emma Stubbs. Ever prevalent in the opposition’s half, the attacks made by Poppy Huxley and Louis Whitley created a multitude of short corners, which Molly Fry converted into their 3rd goal, flicking the ball into the net. The final goal of the half came from Phoebe Jones, beautifully scoring another short corner from the back post, and leaving Whitchurch 4-0 up as the half time whistle sounded.

Rejuvenated after their Haribo’s and (vegan) fruit pastilles, Whitchurch returned, ready to defend their lead. Hermione Ball and Rachel Chester’s unabatedly deterred any breaks from Alderley Edge, with Megan Nicholson making an awe-inspiring dive to protect Whitchurch’s clean sheet. The ball weaved through the opposition, ever glued to Holly Gilbert’s stick. After a cross into Jas Williams, the ball once again flew past the helpless goalkeeper, leaving Whitchurch 5-0 up as the game drew to a close.

A triumphant victory for the ladies has left them with high hopes for next week’s game against Golborne. Molly Fry was awarded player of the match.