Runcorn ladies 1s 3 Whitchurch ladies 1s 2
Whitchurch started their first league in Cheshire Division 3 with a blow losing two players to illness and one to work commitments on the Saturday morning, leaving the squad to travel with only one sub.
Whitchurch were the stronger of the two teams in the first half and led 1-0 at half time from a short corner where Lucy Ratcliffe shot at goal and Emily Hilton deflected it in. Whitchurch continued taking the ball to Runcorn but they had a very strong defence to battle through. Runcorn had more subs and their fitness proved better in the second half in which Whitchurch conceded three goals.
There was some great play between the Whitchurch youngsters Charlotte Lawder, Laura Workman, Ellie Windsor and Phoebe Jones but Whitchurch couldn’t make their efforts count by converting into goals.
Despite being 3-1 down Whitchurch pressed hard to get back into the game. The ball was moved around nicely on the right hand side through great interlinking play between Lisa Sullivan and Catherine Winter-Gresty before Lisa found Jane Williamson who squared to Lucy Ratcliffe to sweep in the net to make it 3-2 at final whistle.
As Whitchurch moved up into division 3 this season it was a good start to work on. Whitchurch 1s play Lymm next week at home 12.30 start.
Whitchurch Ladies 2s 6 Alderley Edge ladies 7s 1
Following a league re-organisation during the summer the second team have found themselves playing in Cheshire Division 6 and looking from the start of the season to build on the finish to last year.
With new captain Emma Clarke buzzing around before the game the team entered the pitch ready for the new season. From the push back Whitchurch pressured Alderley and within minutes had their rewards as Tracy Tolhurst fired the ball high into the goal to give Whitchurch the lead.
Whitchurch continued to pressure and doubled their lead, from a penalty corner Becky Brookfield picked out Jess Kimberley to sweep home.
Throughout the game the pace of Emily Vernon and Ashleigh Heath caused the Alderley defence problems and as Katie Goodwin picked out Ashleigh Heath she slipped it coolly past the keeper to give Whitchurch their third. As half time approached the Whitchurch team switched off and Alderley capitalised to pull a goal back.
The second half saw Whitchurch tire and the Alderley team cause Whitchurch numerous problems but the Whitchurch defence of Claire Fitzgerald, Mel Reid, Masie Owen and goalkeeper Maddy Sugden stood firm.
As Alderley pressed Whitchurch had more space to exploit and whenever they got the ball into the Alderley half Heath and Vernon where there to exploit it. Emily Vernon scoring a brace and Heath getting her second just before the final whistle gave Whitchurch a comprehensive victory and a positive start to the season.
Whitchurch 2s travel away to Bebington 2s next week.
