All posts by Craig Hockenhull

Match reports 24/09/16

Bowdon Ladies 5s 0 Whitchurch Ladies 1s 6

Whitchurch 1s played away against Bowdon. From the start Whitchurch took the ball to Bowdon and had most of the play. First goal came from Lisa Sullivan dribbling into the dee and firing the ball home. Within minutes Lucy Ratcliffe scored her first on a great reverse slice.

There was some really good passing from mid players Ellie Windsor, Helen Machin and Lisa Sullivan. Short corners were coming thick and fast allowing Jane Williamson to receive a pass from Lisa Sullivan and grab herself a birthday goal.

Whitchurch continued controlling the game having plenty of shots on goal and Lucy Ratcliffe firing another impressive reverse shot into the top right of the net. Confidence was oozing and Lucy went for her 3rd goal and succeeded before the half time whistle.

After a quick recharge of batteries Whitchurch forwards Laura Workman and Phoebe Jones had some chances on goal, but Bowdon were determined not to let any more in. Using the width of the pitch Charlotte Lawder took the ball passing into the dee allowing Sue Read a touch and scoring the 6th goal.

Bowdon broke through a couple of times giving Clare Fitzgerald, Catherine Reece-Gresty and Emily Hilton something to do but they cleared the ball every time. Final whistle went with Whitchurch coming away with a well-deserved 6-0 win.

Whitchurch 1s play at home next week against Buckley Ladies 1s starting 12.30.

 

Whitchurch ladies 2s 3 Oxton ladies 4s 1

Whitchurch entertained Oxton 4s at home this week and carried on the winning streak.

Ashleigh Heath started off on the score sheet and gave Whitchurch the buzz at the start off the game. Newcomer Grace Berry and Becky Brookfield passed the ball around the right hand side of the pitch for Olivia Edgerton to score the second of the game.

During halftime Whitchurch had a positive team talk and came out fighting. After a scramble around the goal Grace Berry found the corner of the goal and scored past the advancing Oxton keeper. Oxton pushed forward to get back in the game but were unable to convert any of their chances on goal.

 

Whitchurch Mens 2s 7 Neston Mens 8s 0

Whitchurch started the season with a comfortable win. Within minutes of the start Mike Shrimplin fired home to give Whitchurch the lead. A brace from Tom Forrester and one from Craig Hockenhull and Rupert Yeoward gave Whitchurch a 6-0 lead at the break.

The second half was a different story as the Whitchurch side suffered from match fitness and the younger legs in the Neston team began to run them around. Neston had long periods of play but couldn’t turn their possession into goals. Whitchurch counter attacked where possible and Craig Hockenhull got his second deflecting home a cross from Steve Kay.

The 2s travel away to Birkenhead 1s next week.

 

Neston Mens 7s 2 Whitchurch Mens 1s 6

Whitchurch Mens 1s got their season off to a good start away against a young-but-strong Neston 7s team. Having a few changes in personnel from last season’s division-winning team meant a few changes in approach and new tactics, but these worked well with Martin Beecher getting his tally underway within a couple of minutes with some well organised passing down the channels before slotting home.

This gave the team the chance to take stock and settle into the game, but Neston were quick on the break and came close almost straightaway after, getting a short corner to put the pressure on. Some good defence from Ryan Murtagh and Ben Fry got the ball away and the game settled down. Some good runs of play down both wings, from Ben Fry to Ben Kimberley, and Jake Wood to Jack Barnes put pressure on a young Neston defence containing three first-time senior players.

Strength in the middle came from Joel Leese, who controlled the centre and laid the ball off well to Jack Barnes and Tom Leonard who were then able to get the ball up the pitch to Simon Briceno and Martin who combined well to allow Martin to get four goals in total, including a lovely short-corner hitting hard to the bottom left of the goal. Ben Kimberley claimed two goals with strong control and striking from the edge of the dee, as part of good continued pressure from all of the midfield and forwards.

At the other end of the pitch, goalkeeper Aaron Swain showed his increased strength in keeping out several good shots from the Neston forwards, as well as good communication with the defence to keep the ball away. That Neston scored two goals is testament to their good passing skills and movement, and their forwards drawing the defenders wide, but also showed Whitchurch the areas they need to improve on: some ball control wasn’t to our normal standards, and good marking is always a challenge to any team, but as a first game of the season it showed great promise and we look forward to the rest of the season.

Inclusive Activity Roadshow – 24th September 2016

Inclusive-Activity-Roadshow-Banner

The Inclusively Fit Project is excited to promote a week of inclusive activity for each area of the County with the support of clubs and community groups across the County.

This exciting new campaign is the first of its kind in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

Whitchurch hockey club will be offering a ‘Free’ taster session on Saturday September 24th 2016 for 13+ from 10.00 to 11.30 alongside our Academy session.

Open to those haven’t played for a number of years and want to get back into the sport or those who just want to try a fun and exciting session.

We can supply sticks but please bring shin pads.

Please share and promote across the area!

Match Report 17/09/16

Whitchurch ladies 1s 6 Lymm ladies 3s 2

Whitchurch started their first home game of the season with last week’s sickness issues resolved. On a very hot afternoon they started strong from the beginning with some good possession leading to an early goal from Lucy Radcliffe. This was quickly followed by Lucy’s second from a strong run into the Dee picking out a great cross from Catherine Winter-Gresty.

Lymm then started to get into their stride and were awarded a short corner that they scored from.  With some great saves from keeper Gwyneth Thomas-Rees and defending by Clare Fitzgerald and Jane Williamson, Lymm were not allowed to capitalise on their goal.

After a good half time talk Whitchurch came out strong again with some great runs down the wing by Charlotte Lawder and Emily Hilton which resulted in Sue Read making it 3-1.

Lucy Radcliffe quickly followed it up with her third, following a goalmouth scramble. Lymm were allowed back into the game briefly with there second, but Whitchurch then powered through with Lucy getting her fourth and Sue Read getting the final goal.

Lisa Sullivan was awarded player of the match for her great work in midfield.

 

Bebington ladies 2s 0 Whitchurch ladies 2s 3

Whitchurch travelled away to Bebington for their first away game of the season full of confidence after last week’s win.

Whitchurch started off the stronger of the two teams and applied the pressure to the Bebington defence. Hayleigh Busby opened the scoring running straight through the Bebington defence and past the advancing goalkeeper.

Tracy Tolhurst and Emily Vernon worked down the left hand side passing around the Bebington players resulting in Vernon scoring the second goal and giving Whitchurch a lead into the break.

The second half saw Whitchurch set off strong and five minutes into the half Tracy Tolhurst scored the third of the game. Bebington through everything at the Whitchurch team to get back into the game but Whitchurch held strong and secured another three points.

Helen Machin was awarded player of the match.

 

Match reports – 10th September 2016

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.