Whitchurch ladies 1s 10 Whitchurch ladies 2s 0

The return fixture saw the 1s having to go all out to keep their promotion chances alive and from the off they took the game to the 2s.

Lisa Sullivan opened the scoring with a well stuck penalty corner to give the 1s the lead, the 2s however where in no mood to lie down and a quick counterattack saw Laura Hollinshead break through the centre of the 1s defence and fire just wide of the post.

This focused and fired up the 1s and saw Keeley Hathaway score a brace before the halftime break. The juniors in the 2s stepped up their games for long periods and defender Becky Brookfield and goalkeeper Shola Bailey made a string of crucial tackles and fine saves to keep them in the game.

The second half continued as the first finished with both sides not willing to give any ground. The 1s kept the score ticking over with a clinical display of finishing that has got them top of the league. Sue Read scored two from crosses from Jessica Kimberley on the right wing. The 2s gave everything with Tracy Tolhurst and Julia Neale never stopping in the midfield, but as the 2s started to tire the 1s took full advantage with another two goals for Keeley Hathaway and one each for Catherine Gresty and Ellie Windsor.

The 2s had a momentary lapse of concentration and Lisa Sullivan scored the goal of the game taking a quick free hit that was run to the top of the dee and smashed into the bottom corner of the goal.

Both teams took a lot out of the game the 1s the points and the 2s some excellent performances as the team gets stronger with every game they play.

The 1s travel to South Cheshire next week whilst the 2s take on Oxton at home 12.30 at the Whitchurch Leisure centre.

Whitchurch Fathoms 1            Barlaston Fathoms 6

Whitchurch Fathoms learnt a hard lesson against an experienced Barlaston team, Whitchurch couldn’t play their normal attacking game using their pace and youth to dominate the opposition.

Whitchurch had the early run of the game but against the run of play Barlaston took the lead. Whitchurch came back into the game as Ben Kimberley poached another goal on the back post.

Whitchurch attempted to attack the Barlaston team but they easily soaked up the Whitchurch attacks and counterattacked on the break exposing Whitchurch and took the lead again before the break.

The second half saw the Whitchurch team continue to attack Barlaston in an effort to get back in the game but Barlaston continued their game plan and continued to pick off the Whitchurch team with a number of well-executed goals.

The game gave the Fathoms plenty to think about and work on before the start of next season.

Wrexham ladies 2s 2 Whitchurch ladies 1s 1

Top of the table clash, Wrexham 2s vs. Whitchurch 1s took place on Saturday.  Wrexham took advantage of knowing their own water based pitch well by playing hard and fast.

Both teams, equally pegged, attacked and defended well. Whitchurch thought they had taken an early lead, only for it to be disallowed. Whitchurch keeper Phoebe Jones did an excellent job saving two shots from Wrexham breaks meaning the score remained at 0-0 at half time.

The second half began much like the first, with both teams desperate to score, Wrexham succeeding in converting a short corner. However minutes later the Whitchurch attack retaliated, Nicola Workman drove the ball through the Wrexham defence to score a fantastic aerial goal.

A break by Wrexham ensured a second goal, leaving Whitchurch on the run.  The last ten minutes saw great passing between Whitchurch players, Ellie Windsor, Lisa Sullivan and Catherine Gresty with many opportunities to score being created but none converted. Whitchurch worked exceptionally hard until the final whistle, but were disappointed to walk away with a loss.  Whilst still top of the table, Whitchurch 1s have to win all their remaining matches to secure promotion this season.

South Cheshire ladies 2s 2 Whitchurch ladies 2s 0

Whitchurch ladies 2s travelled to Congleton High School to play mid table team South Cheshire 2s.

Whitchurch applied pressure during the first 15 minutes generating a number of chances. Unfortunately the defence were caught out on a lucky break that gave the opposition a goal advantage.

Whitchurch continued to press with Laura Hollinshead making several breaks into the D but the forwards were unable to convert their chances.

Congleton’s second goal came after a lapse in concentration from the team. Overall, Whitchurch showed great endeavour and deserved to come away with a point from this game.

Laura Hollinshead was voted player of the match.

Bridgnorth Men’s Fathoms 1 Whitchurch Men’s Fathoms 2

A full strength Whitchurch Men’s Fathoms team were hosted by Bridgnorth Hockey and Cricket club this week.

The grass pitch, situated on the cricket out field, was always going to be a challenge to the younger Whitchurch players and warranted a change of tactics to the usual style of play.

In the first half Whitchurch Fathoms played down hill and pressured the Bridgnorth back-line creating the first Whitchurch goal by Jack Barnes in the opening 10 minutes.

Sporadic break away runs from the Bridgnorth attack were effectively cleared away by the Whitchurch defence led, by Ryan Murtagh, supported by Mark Sugden, Doug Buckeridge and Neil Jones in goal.

Yet it was incessant pressure and well worked attacking play through a mid-field of Craig Hockenhull and Phil Tranter to the Whitchurch forwards of Jack Barnes, Simon Bricento, Ben Fry and Ellis Hickson that led to the Whitchurch Fathom’s second goal – slotted away by Ben Kimberley from the edge of the ‘D’, hitting the back board with a satisfying thump.

Starting the second half 2 – 0 up, Whitchurch expected a different game from Bridgnorth who would use the down hill advantage to good effect. Whitchurch snubbed out many attacks by intercepting long-hit power plays within the Bridgnorth half.

Yet as the game entered the last ten minutes, Whitchurch Fathoms to lost some of their focus and discipline allowing Bridgnorth to score their goal in the last three minutes of the game.

All in all a good performance from the Whitchuch Fathoms on an unfamiliar surface which caused the ball to bobble about, move slower than the astro turf and prevent flat-stick stops.

Bridgnorth were welcoming hosts at a friendly clubhouse with a good atmosphere – serving a welcome chicken and leek casserole afterwards.

Bloxwich Men’s Fathom 6 – Whitchurch Men’s Fathom2

The Whitchurch Fathoms set out to Bloxwich without their most experienced players.

Playing 10-a-side in the first half, Whitchurch got off to a good start with an Ellis Hickson goal in the first five minutes.

However after a well placed short corner and a goal in open play, Bloxwich ended the first half 2 – 1 up.

Starting the second half with just 9 players after Aaron Shackleton took a stick to the face, the Whitchurch Fathoms were always going to be on the back foot against an experienced Bloxwich team.

Spirited defence from Doug Buckeridge and Richard Leigh, good goal keeping from Neil Jones and positive attacking play from Ben Fry, Ben Kimberley and Ellis Hickson meant the Fathoms kept themselves in the game for most of the second half. A further goal from Ellis Hickson brought the score to 4 – 2 with 10 minutes to play. With a man-down, Whitchurch gave Bloxwich too much open space in mid-field enabling them to take two extra goals before the final whistle.

The 6 – 2 score line flattered the Bloxwich side in what was a close fought game against a largely in-experienced Whitchurch side.

Whitchurch Men’s 1s 2 Evesham Men’s 1s 3

Whitchurch played hosts to Evesham, who beat the reds 3-0 in the reverse fixture, however were 5 points behind the reds in the league before the match.

The match started very sloppy for the reds, with a number of missed placed passes and missed tackles allowed the visitors to take the initiative and went 2-0 up early in the match.  After the second Evesham goal went in, the reds started to improve and started to put more pressure on the Evesham defence. The reds got a goal back before half time, with a Ben Lea drag flick from a penalty corner; the match was 2-1 at half time.

In truth it was a disappointing first half for the reds and the visitors were deserved to be ahead at that point.

The second half started well for the home side, with them keeping good possession and putting pressure on the Evesham defence, however the next goal in the game went to Evesham and put them 3-1 up.  The reds then started to push more men forward in chase of the next goal with both teams creating good chances.  About 10 minutes from the end the home team scored there second goal again from Ben Lea drag flick.  Then for the remaining time in the match the reds went chasing an equaliser and went close with the last hit of the game hit against the post.

In truth the reds didn’t really deserve anything from the match and Evesham deserved the 3 points, but the reds were left frustrated, as they knew they can play a lot better than they did.  They have two tough away matches at the weekend against Oswestry and Barlaston.

Whitchurch Men’s Fathoms 1            Aldridge & Walsall Fathoms 1

In what was one of the toughest games the Fathom have played this season they entertained the experienced Aldridge & Walsall team.

Aldridge started the quicker off the two teams as Whitchurch struggled to settle and get up to speed with the visitors passing and movement off the ball.

Whitchurch however stuck to the task off defending and disciplined marking and some luck restricted Aldridge to only a couple of opportunities in the first half which they failed to convert. Whitchurch had sporadic attacks but attacking as individuals enabled the Aldridge defence to easily stop any clear scoring opportunities.

The interval gave Whitchurch the opportunity to discuss their tactics for the second half and from the whistle they took the game to Aldridge. A Whitchurch error saw Aldridge awarded a penalty corner which they converted to give them the lead. Whitchurch stepped up their game and within minutes Craig Hockenhull drove into heart of the Aldridge defence to pick out Ellis Hickson to equalise. Whitchurch continued to pressure for the winner but in a complete reverse to the first half good defending and some luck meant Whitchurch couldn’t get the vital touch required for the win.

At the end both sides were happy with a draw in a hard fought and highly competitive match.

Warrington ladies 2s  0  Whitchurch  ladies 1s  1

It was the rematch against the team to which we suffered a 4-3 defeat earlier in the season. The strong line up was in positive spirits and a super team performance ensued. The game was end to end with both teams making good runs and taking advantage of any breaks in play. Whitchurch did look the stronger of the teams and had greater possession. Kate Goodwin bravely played on after a close range hit to her elbow (ouch!). Whitchurch’s hard work was rewarded half way through the first half when Lisa Sullivan’s penalty corner strike was deflected.

Warrington was a strong team and as a result Whitchurch couldn’t rest on their laurels in the second half. Solid defending from Gayle Ladd, Jane Williamson and Captain Catherine Reece-Gresty, good runs by Ellie Windsor down the left wing and confident keeping by Phoebe Jones (with one crucial save) meant Whitchurch held on to their lead until full time.

A Warrington short corner awarded with 9 seconds to go was tense to say the least. However Gayle coolly cleared the challenge, which led to a deserved victory for Whitchurch Ladies.

Next week the ladies 1s entertain Macclesfield 4s at home starting 12.30 and the 2s entertaining Neston 4s starting at 14.00.