Wilmslow ladies 3s 4 Whitchurch ladies 1s 8

On a surprisingly warm October day in the salubrious surroundings of Cheadle Hulme School, Whitchurch Ladies 1s came out comfortably on top against Wilmslow Ladies 3s, in an end-to-end game featuring some very sharp and impressive goals.

Laura Workman opened the scoring within the first ten minutes, followed quickly by Emma Harper and Ellie Windsor. Lucy Ratcliffe continued her dynamic scoring run with a hat trick, including a clinical finish at the end to kill off the game. Mention must also go to Grace Berry, making her first team debut and delivering a brace of goals.

Despite a late rally by Wilmslow, Whitchurch saw it home to end with the impressive score line of 8-4. Next Saturday’s game is at home against Oxton Ladies 2s at 12.30pm.

 

Runcorn Mens 2s 3 Whitchurch Mens 1s 5

Whitchurch Men’s 1s travelled away to Runcorn for their third match of the season, and had a hard game against strong opposition. Runcorn came out of the blocks quickly and applied pressure across the width of the pitch. Whitchurch rallied, and a strong move up the right hand side of the pitch with Tom Leonard pushing up and getting a crisp pass across the dee allowed Ben Kimberley to flick home.

This inspired Runcorn to reset and come back stronger with some good movement and sharp passing allowing them to get a goal back a few minutes later. Further pressure was resisted with goalkeeper Aaron Swain coming out strongly to force mistakes from their striker. Despite Runcorn losing a player to the sin bin for two minutes, Whitchurch were unable to convert continued pressure, and on his return the Runcorn player was able to drive into the dee twice and score fine goals on the reverse past a diving keeper to bring the score to 3-1 by half time – which could have been more but for a sublime toe-end save by Aaron from a strong hit across the face of the goal.

At half time, captain Alex Fry settled the team, giving them the areas to work on and the mistakes to avoid, and the results were immediate and impressive, passing in triangles at speed took Whitchurch quickly up the pitch passing players with ease compared to the first half, and after a scramble and enthusiastic tackling in the Runcorn dee, a stick went round a leg and brought Joel Leese down. He stepped up to take the resulting penalty stroke and put it away superbly. 3-2 gave us something to work with, and Alex got the ball moving round from the centre down the right via Jake Wood who drove well down the line to get it to Tom Leonard who won a short corner. The injection came in to Alex, across to Joel, to Tom, and back to Joel who buried it in the Runcorn net.

Determination to win from this point led to more fine movement around the pitch: Ryan Murtagh and Matt Brooks combined well at the back to get the ball up to Jack Barnes who drove forward to get the ball into the dee, and a short corner followed.

Unfortunately from the flick at goal, a Runcorn defender took a ball to the face and required treatment. After the restart, Whitchurch continued to defend against an increasing Runcorn attack, and Aaron Swain continued to help the defence out with some strong saves and some last-ditch tackles from Ryan Murtagh and James Partington allowing them to get the ball away. With two minutes left on the clock, Whitchurch went on the attack again, and after a scramble in the dee, Ben Kimberley came out strongest, putting the ball into the net and giving Whitchurch the lead for the first time since the fifth minute. As Runcorn heads dropped, a quick counter attack with Steve Lloyd’s fast pass across the dee to Jack Barnes who switched it to Ben Kimberley who had an open goal to get his hat trick.

A much stronger second half and a positive attitude were the key to a fine result for the Men’s 1s, keeping them top of the table on goal difference. Whitchurch are at home next week against Neston 6s.

 

Whitchurch Mens 2s 0 Denbigh 2s 3

Coming off last week’s heavy defeat, Whitchurch 2s were looking to get back to winning ways when they entertained a Denbigh 2s side that had lost their first game of this season, but had beaten Whitchurch twice last year.

Whitchurch started well and immediately took control of the game with most of the hockey being played in Denbigh’s half of the pitch. But despite lots of possession and territory, Whitchurch struggled to make inroads into the Denbigh D. Attacks continually broke down on the edge of the D due to Denbigh’s resolute defending and poor final passes from Whitchurch.

As the half wore on Whitchurch managed to win a succession of short corners, but unusually poor execution meant the Denbigh goal was never threatened.

Despite defending very deep, Denbigh were always a threat on the counter-attack. As Whitchurch players pressed higher and higher up the pitch, long passes out of defence were by-passing the midfield and allowing Denbigh free runs towards the Whitchurch defence.

Mark Sugden, Iain Bones, Richard Leigh and Doug Buckeridge defended well, but Denbigh were still able to force some good saves from keeper Neil Jones.

Just before half-time Denbigh profited from lax Whitchurch marking and fire a long ball forward from which their unmarked striker was able to fire past the helpless Jones. Within moments Denbigh’s lead was doubled from a short corner. Although the shot from the edge of the D was mis-hit, the bouncing ball managed to find corner of the Whitchurch goal.

Frustrated to be 2-0 down at half time, Whitchurch flew out of the blocks in the second half, and immediately put together some good attacking moves. At last the Denbigh keeper was forced into action, and from a rebound, Craig Hockenhull was unlucky to see his flick over the keeper brilliantly stopped on the line and cleared by a Denbigh defender.

Whitchurch continued to pour forward in the second half, but the dribbling of Sy Briceno and Felix Jeffreys was constantly thwarted by good Denbigh tacking, and the attacking interplay of Tom Forster, Pete Scales, Rupert Yeoward, Ben Fry and Josh Parry couldn’t penetrate the massed ranks of the Denbigh defence.

Denbigh continued to be a sporadic threat on the counter attack, but any danger was quickly snuffed out by Bones and Sugden and Denbigh rarely succeeded in getting into the Whitchurch D. However, as Whitchurch became move ragged towards the end of the game, Denbigh produced a final, swift counter-attack which put the final nail in the Whitchurch coffin.

This was a frustrating game for Whitchurch – even the Denbigh players were a little surprised to have won the game 3-0. Ultimately a combination of the Whitchurch forwards having an off-day and the Denbigh defence playing very well contributed significantly to this result. Whitchurch will be disappointed that the Denbigh keeper only had to make one save and that 10 or 12 short corners didn’t yield a single worthwhile strike at goal.

The defeat leaves Whitchurch 2s in 6th place in the league. Next week the 2s travel to Llandudno 2s.

 

Whitchurch ladies 2s 3 Crewe ladies 4s 1

Whitchurch entertained local rivals Crewe needing to keep up their chase of promotion with another three points.

Whitchurch attacked from the start forcing back the Crewe defence but couldn’t get the vital touch in the dee to give the much-needed lead. Whitchurch rode their luck as a route one ball straight through the midfield picked out the Crewe forward in the dee and forced the best out of keeper Shola Bailey.

As the ball bounced around the Crewe dee they could only clear as far as Tracy Tolhurst who shot into the bottom corner to give Whitchurch the lead. Within minutes a fine individual effort from Ashley Heath gave Whitchurch a comfort zone.

Whitchurch showed their naivety at times abandoning their defensive duties and pushing forward for more goals and this left a Crewe player free in the Whitchurch dee and resulted in Crewe scoring and back into the game before the halftime break.

Whitchurch continued to push for further goals in the second half and ride their luck as Crewe chances came and went. Finally Whitchurch Ashleigh Heath scored her second diving to meet a cross from Hayleigh Busby taking ball, keeper and defender into the back of the goal and another win.

The 2s now have a break for a couple of weeks in the league.

Whitchurch ladies 1s 4 Buckley ladies 1s 4

Whitchurch ladies 1s played at home against Buckley 1s today and played their most exciting game so far. Whitchurch started strong getting into the D but failed to score.

Buckley were a strong team with a ring of very strong players who were also pushing hard into the Whitchurch D. They scored first which left Whitchurch fighting hard to equalize. A few short corners were awarded to Buckley, which allowed them to score again. Whitchurch ladies keep pushing up towards the Buckley goal. Emma Harper took the ball and dribbled passed the Buckley defence and scored with a strike from top of the dee.

Heads started to rise for Whitchurch until Buckley broke and scored another. Keeper Gwyn Thomas-Rees was kept busy this match making some amazing saving dives and the whistle went for half time with Whitchurch 3-1 down.

Time started again after a good team talk and this is when the excitement started! Passing from Lisa Sullivan, Helen Machin and Charlotte Lawder made Buckley run around and you could see them tiring. Also a change of players into key positions saw Whitchurch shake up Buckley defence allowing the ladies to tackle and drive forward. Whitchurch kept working so hard to get some goals. A short corner was awarded to Whitchurch allowing Laura Workman a touch on the ball tapping into the Buckley goal.

Confidence was rising for Whitchurch with 10 minutes to go. The ladies were really fighting for the ball. Phoebe Jones, Nicola Workman and Ellie Windsor passed the ball around Buckley, allowing Sue Read to score their third. Five minutes to go and Whitchurch were catching up.

The defence of Clare Fitzgerald, Catherine Reece- Gresty fought hard not to allow Buckley another goal and with help from Jane Williamson and Emily Hilton they kept them from scoring. Whitchurch supporters were on edge with only minutes left.
Whitchurch earned themselves a short corner and with some great passes around the Buckley defence the Workman sisters scored with a final tap from Laura. Final whistle went with a 4-4 final score.

 

Neston Ladies 5 1 Whitchurch ladies 2s 4

Whitchurch travelled away to a very wet game against Neston. Whitchurch went out the stronger of the two teams passing around the Neston players. Hayleigh Busby, Tracy Tolhurst and Emily Vernon working down the left hand side and passing the ball through the Neston defence picked out Grace Berry to score and leave Whitchurch 1-0. Despite Neston having many attempts on goal Emma Clarke, Jess Kimberley and Shola Bailey kept them at bay and kept the ball clear from the goal before the ball came to Vernon on the left who then ran in at pace with the ball and scored the second of the game.

Five minutes before the end of the first half the rain came down heavier but this did not stop the Whitchurch team as Olivia Edgerton picked out Grace in the dee who spotted Hayleigh Busby by the post and deflected it in to score.

During half time Whitchurch had a positive team talk too keep up the fight despite the cold and the rain and to keep the scoring coming even though they were 3-0 up.

In the second half the Neston team came out stronger and passed the ball around the Whitchurch defence and past the reach of keeper Shola. But Whitchurch were not stopping there as they knew that they had to keep fighting. Kate Goodwin and Becky Brookfield working hard down the right hand side along with Martha Teggin and Wendy Cooper passing the ball to Busby to score her second of the game.

Whitchurch will be entertaining Crewe at home starting at 12.30.

 

Birkenhead Mens 1s 8 Whitchurch Mens 2s 1

Whitchurch 2s travelled to Birkenhead 1s looking to build on their 7-0 win on the opening weekend of the season. Although a new team to the league for this season, the Birkenhead side were made up of experienced hockey players that had moved from other clubs on the Wirral, and in cold, wet conditions they soon took control of the game.

Birkenhead’s speed, movement and crisp passing caused Whitchurch no end of problems, and the Whitchurch midfield and defence struggled to repel the continued assault on their goal. Keeper Neil Jones made a number of fine saves early in the game, whilst Steve Kay and Matt Brookes were forced to make a number of last-ditch tackles.

Inevitably the breakthrough came midway through the first half. Another incisive attack down the Whitchurch left was quickly switched to the right where Birkenhead had a free man who fired into the D for a close-range deflection past the stranded Jones. Birkenhead then swiftly doubled their lead from a clever short-corner routine.

Whitchurch did fashion their own half-chances however. Although the midfield of Craig Hockenhull, Tom Forster and Marcus Conway were forced deep into their own half to help the defence, they were able to find some penetrating passes to the enable the front three to hit Birkenhead on the counter-attack. Richard Leigh and Rupert Yeoward were able to combine well to release the pace and skill of Felix Jeffreys, although Whitchurch were unable to create any clear-cut chances.

Despite being a little fortunate to only 2-0 down at half time, Whitchurch were keen to try and score and get a foothold in the game in the second-half. However, Birkenhead were also keen to be more clinical in front of goal. And early in the second half had raced into a 4-0 lead.

Whitchurch were undeterred and good interplay from the front three enabled Felix Jeffreys to dribble into the Birkenhead D and force Whitchurch’s only short corner of the game. A well-worked routine led to Hockenhull feeding Forster who drilled home a consolation goal for Whitchurch.

Birkenhead’s response was immediate and ruthless, as they added a further 4 goals during the second-half.

Despite the 8-1 score line, Whitchurch can be proud of their efforts. The players worked incredibly hard for each other and were undone by a new team playing 1 or 2 leagues below their true level. Birkenhead pressed Whitchurch high up the pitch and didn’t give the midfield and defence any time to find their passes. And when Whitchurch did break forward the Birkenhead defence was well marshaled by some very experienced players.

It was good to welcome back Aaron Llewellyn after a couple of years away from hockey. Aaron produced a hardworking and disciplined performance in defence despite the trying circumstances, and made a number of crucial interceptions and blocks.

The win leaves Whitchurch 2s in 3rd place in the league, although only Birkenhead have 2 wins from 2 games at this stage. Next week the 2s are at home to Denbigh 2s, who have lost the only game they’ve played so far this season.

 

Whitchurch Mens 1s 5 Oxton Mens 6s 3

Whitchurch Mens 1s played their first home game of the season against a young but strong Oxton team who combined experience with youth and speed. Oxton put the pressure on from the start with a number of strong passing moves and good movement around the Whitchurch dee. Several minutes of balanced play followed before Whitchurch made the breakthrough with a short corner shot which just clipped the backboard and passed under the height limits in doing so.

By these fine margins the match was defined; Oxton scored a goal, which trickled through the keeper’s pads and rolled agonisingly slowly over the line. A few minutes later, a similar thing happened at the other end, as Whitchurch scored from a short corner scramble which resulted in the ball again just making it over the line before it could be cleared. Several short corners were won by some good control in the Oxton dee, but shots went agonisingly wide or were well saved by the Oxton keeper.

Relief was had after some fine passing work through the midfield, between Tom Leonard and Joel Leese, got the ball up the field quickly and Ben Kimberley did excellent work on the right wing to get another goal, but Oxton immediately put the pressure on, beating Whitchurch’s tiring defence with strong work from the byline and losing their markers at the last minute.

Continued pressure from Whitchurch paid off, though, for the score to end 5-3 in our favour after some quick attacks with great movement on and off the ball, but it was a very strong effort from both sides in an evenly matched game. The 1s continue their season next week away against Runcorn’s 2s.