Whitchurch Men’s 1s 3 – Mossley Hill Men’s 3s 0

With the season heading to a close, Whitchurch 1s played a much-improved Mossley Hill 3s in their fight to stay top of the league. The earlier away fixture had finished 5-1 to the Reds, but it was obvious from the start that this wasn’t going to be a walkover.

Mossley Hill began very strongly, with composure on the ball, and pressed hard. Ryan Murtagh, Ben Fry and Tom Forster in defence put in very strong games to ensure that all the Mossley men were constantly well marked and James Partington, returning from injury, was able to cut out a number of baseline attacks by the Mossley forwards. Alex Fry and Joel Leese held the centre and cut out many attacks, whilst providing width to Ben Kimberley on the right wing, and Jack Barnes on the left. This width pulled the Mossley players out wide, giving Peter Scales and Simon Briceno space and time to drive through the middle.

With Whitchurch controlling the game, more space opened up, and a clearance from defence was driven up the pitch via Barnes who slipped it to Tom Leonard who drilled a reverse-stick screamer into the goal. In the Whitchurch goal, Aaron Swain had an outstanding game a fantastic double save maintaining the Whitchurch lead.

The Mossley Hill players fought ever harder to level the scores, but were trying too hard and picked up a green and a yellow card with some overly-enthusiastic tackles which gave Whitchurch numerical superiority – but they were unable to break down the solid Mossley defence, with the keeper making some good saves. Just before the end of the half, a ball flicked up off a Mossley stick and caught Leonard in the eye, requiring treatment, and the half ended 1-0.

The second half was a much calmer affair as each side concentrated on keeping the ball and avoiding trouble, and Mossley were able to make more of their clearances, with a few of their long-ball passes making it to their forwards, but Murtagh and Fry were able to keep them out, and the entire Whitchurch team stuck to their marking and ensured that every pass was hard for Mossley.

With their players pushing harder and higher, a clearance from the Whitchurch 23 quickly got up the pitch to Barnes, who drew in two defenders before slipping to Leonard who took advantage of the open goal to get his second. As Mossley Hill legs tired, and with less than two minutes to play, Barnes again was the play-maker and slipped it through to Kimberley who put it through the keeper’s legs to make it 3-0 and to keep Whitchurch top of the table by one point, but with a game in hand.

Whitchurch play away at Wrexham Glyndwr 2s next week.

Whitchurch ladies 1s 3 Runcorn ladies 1s 2

Whitchurch entertained Runcorn ladies sitting second in the league and looking for promotion.

Whitchurch started slowly and failed to adapt to the early Runcorn pressure that saw them storm into an early two goal lead. Whitchurch then decided they needed to up their work rate and compete with Runcorn. Emma Harper pulled a goal back for the home team with a blistering strike. Whitchurch came close with Lucy Ratcliffe shots missing the back post and another saved by the Runcorn keeper.

Some harsh words at half time saw Whitchurch come out and compete for tackle for tackle with the Runcorn team. The defence held solid frustrating the Runcorn attacks and creating time for the Whitchurch midfield to maintain possession.  Eventually Grace Berry was picked out in the dee to even the scores. As Whitchurch heads came up Runcorn’s seemed to drop and tire, Whitchurch continued to charge forward. Charlotte Lawder charging down the right wing experienced several physical challenges resulting in a green card for the Runcorn player upgraded to a yellow after a verbal lashing of the umpire. Whitchurch took full advantage and a shot from Lucy Ratcliffe from the top of the dee was tipped home by Sue Read. The final ten minutes saw a lot of frustration from Runcorn but Whitchurch held out to claim the points.

Whitchurch ladies 1s travel away for a late game at Alderley Edge next week.

Whitchurch ladies 2s 3 Crewe Ladies 3/4s 5

Whitchurch entertained their local rivals in what turned out to be a game of two halves. Crewe brought a mixture of experience and youth and throughout the first half tore through the Whitchurch team with a series of goals giving them a five goal lead at the interval.

Half time gave Whitchurch chance to review and re-group and in the second half they took the game to opposition. Laura Workman in the middle of the Whitchurch team showed her pace and skill creating time and space so missing in the first half.

This allowed the rest of the team to maintain possession and begin to play the ball around. Captain Hayleigh Busby picked out Hebe Dixon at the top of the dee to sweep home Whitchurch’s first goal. Dixon then turned provider picking out Amy Fry to deflect past the keeper.

Whitchurch gained confidence and as they pushed forward through Phoebe Jones and Tracy Tolhurst down the left hand side they again found Fry who beating the last defender then rounded the keeper and scored her second.

Whitchurch continued to push forward but despite a number of opportunities failed to convert.

Whitchurch entertain Sandbach ladies 1s next week at home in a 1^st and 2^nd clash starting at 12.30.

Whitchurch ladies 2s 12 Neston Ladies 5s 0

Whitchurch Ladies 2s played their rearranged match against Neston South Wirral Ladies 5s at home. With a number of key players missing due to injury, Whitchurch looked for support from two new players, who had not played a league hockey before.

Neston had arrived with a young team who looked as though they would be fast and agile.

Hayleigh Busby standing in as captain for the injured Emma Clarke drove the team forward from the whistle and it took 10 minutes before Hebe Dixon put the first goal into the back of the net. The next goal was scored soon after by debutant Victoria Corlett scooping the ball in the Neston D to slide it past the keeper.

As Neston attacked the Whitchurch midfield players, Hebe Dixon, Kate Goodwin and Helen Apperley, kept the them at bay, with a lovely drive up the centre of the pitch from Hebe Dixon and Emily Vernon they found Ashleigh Heath at the top of the dee to pop away her first of 7 goals.

The first half finished with further goal for Ashleigh Heath and one for Olivia Edgerton, putting the score at 5-0.

Neston broke quickly in the second half driving through the centre of a disorganised Whitchurch team but were quickly met by defender Gayle Ladd who easily picked up the ball and drove it forward to the stick of Amy Fry who found Tracy Tolhurst for a shot which bounced off the keepers pads for Olivia Edgerton to sweep in her second of the day.

Not to be knocked Neston drove forward again, this time securing a short corner for their hard work.  This was the only action Goal Keeper Shola Bailey saw during the whole match. Molly Goodwin stood on the defensive line to be part of her first ever short corner, which Jess Kimberley disrupted and knocked away from danger.

With the Whitchurch team now highly motivated and Neston tiring, twice Tracey Tolhurst found little difficulty running up the wing to find Ashleigh Heath for her 3^rd and 4^th goals.  Amy Fry was unlucky not to get on the score board with a number of quick drives and skill play around the Neston defence, but managed to find the stick of Ashleigh Heath for more back of the net action.

However, this just gave Whitchurch greater drive and Tracy Tolhurst scored her first and only goal of the day. With the final play of the game Ashleigh Heath deflected home number seven from a penalty corner shot.

The Final score 12-0 to Whitchurch a strong result securing their second place with only 3 more games to play.  Hebe Dixon was awarded Man of the Match.

Next Saturday Whitchurch Ladies 2s will be playing a friendly against Crewe in preparation for their head to head with the division leaders Sandbach on 4^th March.

Buckley ladies 1s 0  Whitchurch ladies1s 3

Whitchurch ladies 1s travelled to Buckley this Saturday for a re-arranged league match. The opposition started strong blocking all Whitchurch’s attempts to break through their defence. With their goalie being the eventual man of the match it was a strong defence to penetrate. Whitchurch had the bulk of the play in the first half, with Buckley managing just a few breaks. Gwyn Thomas-Rees pulled off some strong saves in goal supported by Catherine Reece-Gresty and Claire Fitzgerald. Towards the end of the first half Whitchurch made a run down the right hand side with Ellie Windsor pushing the ball past the keeper for Whitchurch’s first goal.

The second half saw Whitchurch continuing strong with some great play in the centre by Aisla Cairns and Emma Harper. Phoebe Jones made a run and picked out Lucy Ratcliffe just in the dee who passed to Sue Read for Whitchurch’s second goal. Towards the end of the game Buckley tired and Whitchurch took advantage with some near misses from Catherine Winter-Gresty and Grace Berry. Another strong attack from Grace Berry saw her fire home the third goal. Player of the match went to Lucy Ratcliffe.

1s play at home next week against top of the league Runcorn 1s.

Neston Men’s 6s 1 Whitchurch Men’s 1s 1

Whitchurch Men’s 1s travelled away to Neston 6s, but only managed to wrestle a single point from a hard-fought and tense fixture.

A surprisingly strong Neston side started brightly and subjected Whitchurch to some sustained pressure for the first 20 minutes, forcing a number of short corners and several chances from open play.  Whitchurch struggled to settle or adjust to the pitch in this time, but managed to prevent Neston scoring with some stubborn defending from Ryan Murtagh and Tom Forster, and a number of good saves from Paul Leigh in goal.

Against this run of play, Whitchurch broke quickly from within their 23 metre area to set Martin Beecher free down the left hand side, drawing in several Neston defenders before playing the ball square to find Tom Leonard free at the top of the circle to strike home in typical style.  This was followed by a much more settled period which took the Reds through to half-time ahead, though not deservedly so.

The second half was almost a reverse of the first.  For 15 minutes, Whitchurch applied steady pressure to Neston’s defence despite the temporary loss of two players to cards, but failed to make the most of the chances and short corners gained.  Neston then rallied and this time were able to convert a short corner and level the game, leaving the last 10 minutes as a nail-biting, end-to-end affair with chances to win the game missed by both sides.

A fair result, which sees Whitchurch a point clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand.

Oxton ladies 4s 2  Whitchurch ladies 2s  5

Whitchurch started off the stronger of the two teams passing the ball left and right between Millie Edwards, Tracy Tolhurst, Hayleigh Busby and Ashleigh Heath. Busby spotted Tolhurst on the goal line and passed it through to give Whitchurch the lead.

Whitchurch had lost concentration and Oxton ran down the left and passed to an unmarked play who equalised the score. Whitchurch then found their feet and applied the pressure and with a strong run from Edwards picking out Amy Fry and then back to Edwards who slapped the ball home.

Whitchurch had found their pace and started to play their game as they kept on pressuring the Oxton dee. Emily Vernon and Mel Reid passed the ball down the left hand side and picked out Tolhurst for Whitchurch’s third before the break.

In the second half Oxton fought back and despite some tremendous saves from keeper Shola Bailey Oxton scored their second. Whitchurch again took the game to Oxton and were rewarded a short corner which Busby deflected home.  Tolhurst then completed her hattrick after a quick interchange of passing between Olivia Edgerton and Beth Sykes found her unmarked in the dee.

Whitchurch will be playing their rearranged match against Neston 5s next Saturday. Tracy Tolhurst was awarded player of the match.

Whitchurch Mens 1s 4 Northop Hall Mens 2s 0

Whitchurch took the game to Northop from the whistle and within minutes took the lead as Steve Lloyd fired past the Northop keeper. Within minutes Whitchurch were awarded a penalty corner and from the rebound Joel Leese flicked the ball into the roof of the Northop goal.

Whitchurch continued to pressure the Northop defence and a quick break down the left saw Jack Barnes pick out Tom Leonard at the top of the dee who then fired an unstoppable shot high into the Northop goal.

The second half saw Whitchurch continuing to create lots of opportunities but failing to convert until Tom Leonard picked up the ball and fired home his second of the game to give Whitchurch another three points.

Whitchurch ladies 1s 9 Northop Hall ladies 2s 1

Whitchurch ladies 1s entertained Northop Hall 2s this Saturday and after last week’s defeat they came out fighting.

Within a few minutes Lucy Ratcliffe had scored and got the ball rolling for Whitchurch. From then on goals were coming thick and fast for Lucy completing a hattrick within 10 minutes. As Northop Hall struggled to defend the Whitchurch attacks Whitchurch pushed forward and produced a number of powerful strikes towards the goal allowing Sue Read to tap past the Northop keeper.  Whitchurch earned several short corners and Phoebe Jones slapped home the rebound to give Whitchurch a comfortable lead.

At half time Whitchurch re-energized and came back out for more goals. Northop Hall began to mark out the attacking players and made a few breaks but defenders Gayle Ladd and Catherine Reece-Gresty stopped the ball and sent the ball to wings Charlotte Lawder and Ellie Windsor who had some great runs, by this time Northop ladies had all dropped to protect their goal.

Emily Hilton and Emma Harper kept pushing up allowing Captain Catherine Winter-Gresty a shot from the top of the dee to make it number 6. Lucy Ratcliffe had 3 more great goals from strikes just within the dee. As Whitchurch began to relax Northop Hall broke and scored their one and only goal. Whitchurch kept attacking until the end and we’re very happy with the 9-1 win.

Next week Ladies 1s play away at a rearranged game against Buckley.

Whitchurch Men’s 2s – 3, Neston Men’s 8s – 4

The Men’s 2s set off for the Wirral hoping to repeat their win against Neston Mens 8s at the opening of the season and claim a much-needed 3 points

It was clear from the off that Whitchurch would have to fight hard for these points, but a confident start saw Whitchurch take the action to the Neston goalmouth, eventually ensuing in a short corner that was deftly fired home by Danny Foulkes.

However, going a goal down so early in the game catalysed Neston, and they responded strongly, shutting down many of Whitchurch’s ubsequent attacks before they could develop and as the Whitchurch team continued to play an attacking game to build on their lead, Neston managed a break down the middle and finished by putting a shot past the Whitchurch keeper.

Whitchurch continued to control the play through the first half, but Neston were able to use their more limited possession to better advantage and scored a second goal before the end of the half.

With a one goal lead, Neston approached the second half with a more aggressive strategy and formation and the play was much more evenly balanced, forcing Whitchurch to re-focus on defending Neston’s attacks.  Nevertheless, Neston were able to take advantage of their substitutes to bring fresh legs to the field and their speed saw them break through Whitchurch’s centre once again to go 3-1 up.

Whitchurch continued to push hard up front but tight defending by the Neston backs limited their scoring opportunities.  Their tenacity was eventually rewarded by a short corner which was put away by Foulkes, raising the Team’s spirits as the deficit reduced and they felt back in the game.  Unfortunately, tiredness and a lack of substitutes began to take its toll and Whitchurch found themselves being outpaced by the fresher team, quickly conceding a fourth goal.

Whitchurch retaliated and after a spell of pressure on the Neston goal, were awarded another short corner which Foulkes hammered home for his hat trick, bringing the scoreline to 4-3.  Whitchurch worked desperately hard to salvage a point from the remaining minutes of the game, but ultimately were unable to do so and left the field disappointed at the result, but with every player having committed himself fully to the game.

With both the Mens 1s and Ladies 2s without fixtures this week.

Triton ladies 2s 6 Whitchurch Ladies 1s 2

Whitchurch started the slower of the two teams in this challenging away match. Triton capitalised on this and were able to score three quick goals in succession in the first 20 minutes. Whitchurch then raised their game and produced some chances to score themselves through some excellent passes between Laura Workman, Charlotte Lawder, Ellie Windsor and Grace Berry but to no avail.

Triton then managed to break away and score two more before the break. After a strong team talk from captain Catherine Winter-Gresty, Whitchurch were much stronger. Some excellent through balls from Emma Harper to Sue Read created more chances. Whitchurch’s defence of Catherine Reece-Gresty, Emily Hilton, Millie Edwards and Helen Machin began to read the opposition well and goalkeeper Phoebe Jones pulled off some good saves.

After a run of short corners, Whitchurch finally had some luck with Lisa Sullivan pushing in a rebounded strike from Lucy Ratcliffe. Shortly after, Whitchurch scored their second through another strong short corner routine which Lisa Sullivan sweeped in and grabbed a second goal. Unfortunately it was too late into the game and Triton secured their win with a final goal at the end of the game. Player of the match went to Ellie Windsor.

Whitchurch Mens 2s 0 Birkenhead Mens 1s 6

Whitchurch entertained runaway league leaders Birkenhead expecting a tough match and were not disappointed.

Birkenhead rushed into a two-goal lead and only a number of outstanding saves by goalkeeper Neil Jones kept the score down in the early stages. Whitchurch were not used to playing at the Birkenhead standard and were guilty of a number of unforced errors but fortunately Birkenhead failed to capitalise.

Whitchurch went into the halftime break having conceded three goals but following a positive team talk and some re-organisation started the second half taking the ball to Birkenhead.

For long periods Whitchurch retained the ball and pressured the Birkenhead defence but the Birkenhead quality showed when they broke and were clinical in front of the goal. Whitchurch leant a lot in the game and will take forward lessons learnt in future matches.