Oxton ladies 3s 2 Whitchurch ladies 2s 0

Whitchurch Ladies 2nd team travelled away to Oxton on a cold and very wet afternoon.

The first half saw Whitchurch riding their luck to hold Oxton at bay. Oxton had several attempts on goal but goalkeeper Shola Bailey was able to protect her goal with the able assistance of Sally Pearce and Mel Reid in defence.

The second half saw Oxton come out fighting and they soon took advantage to score the first goal of the match.  Oxton currently third in the league showed why they are there restricting Whitchurch opportunities. Oxton finally broke down the resolute Whitchurch defence scoring their second goal.

The ladies 1s and the Men’s games were cancelled due to the flooding of the home pitch.

The hockey now takes a break until the New Year.

Whitchurch Mens 2s  2  Winnington Park

Whitchurch 2s entertained second-placed Winnington Park 4s. In the reverse fixture earlier in the season Winnington had run out 8-2 winners, with Whitchurch struggling to put out 11 players. However, on this occasion Whitchurch were able to field a full squad and subs.

Neither team managed to score in an even first half. Winnington moved the ball well going forward and excellent defending from Iain Bones, Mark Sugden, James Nicholson, Doug Buckeridge and Ben Fry restricted Winnington to a handful of clear-cut opportunities. When they were able to get strikes at goal Paul Leigh made some excellent saves.

But Whitchurch also looked dangerous going forward and the movement of Ellis Hickson and Tom Leonard caused the Winnington defence a number of nervous moments. Tom Leonard was twice denied by excellent defending on the post from Whitchurch short corners.

In the second half Whitchurch managed to gain more control over midfield through the excellent work of Craig Hockenhull, Richard Leigh and Josh Parry. This enabled Whitchurch to restrict the Winnington team going forward and create more chances themselves. Again Tom Leonard was unfortunate not to score with some fierce strikes at goal and Craig Hockenhull struck the post with a tremendous shot from a narrow angle.

Midway through the second half a swift Whitchurch break led to Aaron Shackleton bursting into the Winnington D on the right and squaring for Ellis Hickson to sweep home the first goal of the game.

Winnington upped their levels after the goal and tried to regain control of midfield and force Whitchurch back. Although they were able to force a number of short corners, Whitchurch defended resolutely and restricted Winnington to only one real chance, which brought out a partial save from Paul Leigh and an excellent goal-line clearance from Iain Bones.

Despite losing territory, Whitchurch were still a threat on the break with Jake Wood making some excellent runs on the left-hand side. Shortly before the end of the game Ellis Hickson was put clean through on goal. Aaron Shackleton made an incredible run to support and Ellis’s square pass was brilliantly finished by Aaron to make the score 2-0.

This was an excellent team performance from Whitchurch against a very skilful and well-drilled Winnington team. Whitchurch defended in numbers and restricted Winnington to very few real chances. However Whitchurch also looked dangerous going forward and created a number of good chances for themselves.

A special mention to injured team captain Phil Tranter whose excellent use of substitutes kept the Whitchurch team fresh throughout the game and whose encouragement from the sidelines kept the team focused throughout the game.

The win moves Whitchurch 2s up to 6^th place in the league.

 

Whitchurch ladies 2s 1    Runcorn Ladies 2s 2

Whitchurch started strong in the first half of the match with good attacks on the opposition and really dominating the game. When Runcorn attacked the Whitchurch dee Wendy Cooper, Sally Pearce and Shola Bailey stood strong and defended all of the shots from Runcorn.

In the first half of the game the possession was 50:50 with both teams fighting hard for the ball. At half­time the score remained at 0­-0.

In the second half the play was still as strong and Whitchurch were fighting hard for that much needed goal.

There were some fantastic attacks from Charlotte Lawder, Emily Vernon, Hayleigh Busby and Captain Julia Neale, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to score the goal. Runcorn gained two goals in the second half but towards the end of the game, a well-timed run from Charlotte Ridgeway ensured she spotted Emily Vernon who then went on to score a fantastic goal.

Despite the score Whitchurch kept positive and played as a team hoping to equalise the score but in the end the game ended 2-1. Shola Bailey was awarded player of the match.

Next week Whitchurch are away against Oxton Ladies 3’s at 2:00.

 

Whitchurch ladies 1s 3  Triton ladies 2s 0

Whitchurch entertained Triton with a number of regulars missing due to the wedding of defender Katie Plant but showed the depth of players within the club as they maintained their chase for promotion.

Triton from the start of the match sat back and defended in numbers, breaking up wave after wave of Whitchurch attacks. It was midway through the half before Whitchurch finally broke the deadlock with Jane Williamson firing in a blistering short corner strike.

The half time talk settled the team and encouraged them to maintain discipline rather than pushing all out for the second goal. Whitchurch continued the second half exactly as the first finished playing the ball around and looking for the break in the Triton defence.

Striker Sue Read finally gave Whitchurch some comfort as she scrambled the ball home after a deflection off the keeper’s pads. Whitchurch secured all the points when Jane Williamson scored her second off the game with another powerful short corner strike to secure another well-deserved three points.

 

Llandudno Mens 2’s   1 Whitchurch Men’s 1s 6

Whitchurch travelled travelled away to the wind swept coast of North Wales for another win over rivals Llandudno. Goals from Ben Lea (3), Joe Nicholson (2) and Steve Lloyd secured another three points.

Whitchurch Men’s 2s 7 Lymm Men’s 4s 2

Once again Whitchurch were able to field a full complement of players and immediately took control of the game, but despite creating a number of chances Whitchurch were caught out by a Lymm breakaway with the ball fired into the net off the crossbar. Whitchurch responded immediately through excellent play from Craig Hockenhull leading an equaliser.

Whitchurch continued to create chances and duly took the lead with a fierce shot from Alex Fry. Lymm however continued to cause problems on the break by leaving a number of players high up the pitch. Iain Bones and Ryan Murtagh broke up a number of counter attacks, but Whitchurch were eventually undone by a well struck shot from a short corner.

Whitchurch continued to push forward and were ultimately rewarded when Ryan Murtagh fired Whitchurch in front on the stroke of half time. On the balance of play Whitchurch could consider themselves unfortunate to only be 3-2 ahead at the break.

Mindful of Lymm’s first half tactics, Whitchurch played a more controlled game of hockey in the second half and successfully restricted Lymm’s second half chances. However they were still grateful for some excellent goalkeeping from Paul Leigh – especially one excellent high save from a short corner – and a brilliant goal line clearance from Ryan Murtagh.

Going forward Whitchurch were always threatening with excellent interplay from Craig Hockenhull and Alex Fry, both of whom added second half goals. Further goals were added by Ellis Hickson and Iain Bones (who according to the umpire scored the best goal of the game).

Although Whitchurch ran out 7-2 victors, the margin of victory could have been greater, with the Lymm goalkeeper making some excellent second half saves, including a triple save from Ellis Hickson and Aaron Swain and a brilliant interception that sent Aaron Shackleton flying.

Whitchurch’s young players, Josh Parry, Aaron Swain and Jake Wood all had excellent games, guided by the experience of Alex Fry, Craig Hockenhull and Iain Bones. Ellis Hickson ran tirelessly up front, as did Aaron Shackleton on the left wing. Richard Leigh and Doug Buckeridge both worked hard to repel Lymm’s attacks and assist in Whitchurch’s attacking play.

Due to Wrexham and Liverpool Sefton dropping out of the league and the subsequent removal of their 9-1 and 10-0 victories against these sides, the result leaves Whitchurch in 8^th place in the table with 9 points from 9 games.

The 2nds are at home to Winnington Park 4s next week.

 

Whitchurch ladies 2s 1 Golborne ladies 2s

Whitchurch Ladies 2s entertained Golborne this weekend in an unfortunate loss. From the start both sides knew it was going to be a long game, with the rain lashing down.

Golborne picked up two early goals but Whitchurch bounced back and debutant Meg Oldham who had returned after a break, scored Whitchurch’s one and only goal.

Whitchurch went into half time 2-1 down. Despite the weather conditions they had a very uplifting talk.

The second half saw the best efforts from Wendy Cooper, Emma Clarke and Mel Reid who fought to keep the ball out of Whitchurch’s goal. Golborne kept on coming strong scoring 5  more goals. Keeper Shola Bailey saved some good attempts from Golborne’s side.

There were many attempts on goal from Whitchurch who used the width of the pitch to get the ball up to the attack to the the ball into Golborne’s dee but could not convert

Whitchurch thought that they had another chance when centre forward, Ashleigh Heath who ran the ball into the dee and was just shy of the goal when she was taken out of the game by the keeper, although the ball was already out of play.

Jess Kimberley was awarded player of the match.

Whitchurch 2s will be travelling to play against Runcorn ladies 2 away next week at 12:30.

Lymm ladies 5s  2   Whitchurch ladies 1s  8

Whitchurch ladies travelled to Lymm for the game on Saturday for what turned out to be a very eventful day. The weather conditions played a big part in the match as the rain became heavier through the game.

Whitchurch started strong and within ten minutes Emma Harper opened the scoring with a strike from the edge of the dee, this was quickly followed by another by Harper from a short corner.

Whitchurch kept the pressure on and Sue read scored twice, after captain Catherine Winter- Gresty provide two great passes.Catherine then scored herself tapping in a raised ball passed in from Harper taking the score to five. Just before half time Lymm got one back, the rain was by then having a big affect with a lot of water of the pitch and the ball not running as fast as normal causing players from both teams to slip over.

After a quick half time break under umbrellas, Lymm came out and keeper Gwyneth Thomas-Rees had a couple of great saves, then defender Gayle Ladd cleared two from the goal line. Whitchurch pushed forward and Jane Williamson passed a short ball to Sue Read for the next goal, and Emma Harper quickly scored again to complete her hatrick.

At the other end of the pitch Lymm forced keeper Gwyneth  to do another great save, but in the process badly injuring her ankle, forcing her to go off. Gayle Ladd quickly stepped forward to act as kicking back and the defence did a sterling job. Lymm did manage to score one more, but then towards the end of the game Lisa Sullivan took the ball into the Dee and took the ball around several defenders to score the final goal leaving Whitchurch with a happy 8-3 winning score. Both teams I think we’re glad to hear the final whistle as the rain kept pouring down.

The drama continued after the final whistle with keeper Gwyneth in considerable pain and shock an ambulance was called to take her to A&E accompanied by captain Cath, thanks to Vicky Price and Jane Williamson for following them to bring Cath home. Luckily after X- Ray’s the result was a badly sprained ankle not a break which was at first feared.
Whitchurch play Triton 3s at home next week.

Mossley Hill Mens 3s  1  Whitchurch Mens 1s 7

Whitchurch travelled to Liverpool for another well deserved win against a promotion contenders Mossley. A hard fought game saw Whitchurch run out winners with goals from Tom Leonard (4), Joe Nicholson, Ben Kimberley and Tom Forester.

Whitchurch ladies 1s 1 Chester ladies 4s 1

Whitchurch ladies started the stronger of the two teams and pressed from the start. Some good attacking play down the right hand side between Phoebe Jones and Emily Hilton saw Nicola Workman causing problems for the Chester defence.

After ten minutes Chester scored against the run of play with a fabulous goal that struck the underside of the crossbar leaving the Whitchurch defence with no opportunity.

Whitchurch were unphased by the setback and continued with the same game plan which had worked so effectively and were rewarded when Nicola Workman defected home an equaliser to make it all level at the break.

After a good team talk Whitchurch came back stronger having a lot more control over the play. Defenders Catherine Reece-Gresty and Gayle Ladd constantly pushing up the ball to Ellie Windsor and Laura Workman to give Whitchurch plenty of chances but Sue Read and captain Catherine Winter-Gresty just couldn’t make them count.

Whitchurch frustration started to show as they pushed more players forward aiming for the win and they were lucky not to lose when the Chester centre forward was picked out unmarked in the Whitchurch dee and only an excellent save by keeper Gwyneth Thomas-Rees saved the day.

At the final whistle a draw was the correct result. Whitchurch captain Catherine Winter-Gresty got player of the match

Whitchurch ladies 1s travel away next week to play Lymm ladies 5s.

 

Brooklands Poynton ladies 4s 4 Whitchurch ladies 2s 3

Whitchurch travelled to play against Brooklyn 4s on Saturday in freezing conditions. As with so many of the games in recent weeks Whitchurch pressured from the start but were unable to convert their opportunities.

Brooklyn’s managed to break free and scored from the top of the dee with a shot that skimmed past the Whitchurch keeper Maddy Sugden. The Whitchurch defence of Wendy Cooper, Mel Reed and Becky Brookfield and the returning Helen Apperley continued to stand firm saving loads of passes into the dee.

Whitchurch managed to equalise when Hebe Dixon drove down the right hand side picked out Charlotte Lawder who then past the ball to Emily Vernon who slotted it into the back of the goal.

Whitchurch then took the lead as Hebe Dixon scored her first for the club but it was only short lived as Brooklands equalised just before the break.

From the break Brooklands came back fighting and scored a further two but Whitchurch were determined that they were going to fight back and a run from Masie Owen free on the left saw her pick out to Dixon for her second.

Despite the cold conditions Whitchurch kept up their efforts to the final whistle but couldn’t manage to get the equalising goals. Charlotte Lawder was awarded player of the match.

Next week Whitchurch will be entertaining Golborne 2s at home next week at 12:30.

 

Whitchurch Mens 1s 4 Denbigh Mens 2s 0

Whitchurch Mens 1s kept their hunt for promotion continued with another win over Denbigh 2s. Goals from captain Joel Leese, Ben Lea, Martin Beecher and Steve Lloyd scored another three points to keep them top of the league.

 

Chester Mens 6s 1  Whitchurch Mens 2s 6

Whitchurch 2s travelled to Chester 6s with the teams only separated in the table by goal difference.

For only the second time this season Whitchurch 2s travelled with a full team AND substitutes and immediately took control of the game. Most of the first half was spent camped in Chester’s half and the interplay and movement of Jack Barnes, Simon Valiente-Briceno and Craig Hockenhull caused Chester no end of problems.

Whitchurch’s dominance was rewarded with Craig Hockenhull’s excellent first half hat-trick. Two solo efforts were capped with a fine passing move involving Alex Fry, Simon Valiente-Briceno and Craig himself.

Despite Whitchurch’s dominance Chester always posed a threat on the counter-attack and despite excellent defending from Mark Sugden and Iain Bones and good goalkeeping from Neil Jones, Chester got a lucky break to pull a goal back from close range to make the score 3-1 at the break.

Whitchurch continued to dominate and control the second half and added three further goals without reply in the second half. An excellent passing move was rounded off at the far post by Aaron Shackleton, Ben Fry showed some nifty close control in the D to add the 5^th goal and Craig Hockenhull rounded off an all-action display with the sixth goal of the afternoon.

The 6-1 win leaves Whitchurch in 7^th place in the table after 10 games.

Whitchurch 2s played some excellent, controlled hockey in this match. Alex Fry marshalled the team from central midfield and with good use of rolling substitutions all 13 members of the squad made significant contributions to the team performance.