Whitchurch Mens 2s 0 Mossley Mens 3s 2

After 2 weeks without a game, Whitchurch 2s returned to action with a home fixture against third-placed Mossley Hill 3s.

Prior to the game, both teams observed a minutes silence in honour of Donald Nairn who sadly passed away this week. Don had a major impact upon Whitchurch and Shropshire hockey. He was responsible for establishing the Whitchurch academy which is now feeding a number of good young players into the men’s and women’s teams, and for the creation of the Men’s Fathoms team which has this season developed into the Men’s 2s. Don will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by all involved with Whitchurch Hockey Club.

An experienced Mossley Hill side immediately took control of the game and forced Whitchurch to defend deep in their own half. The defence of Mark Sugden and Iain Bones repelled a number of Mossley attacks, restricting the visitors to a couple of half chances.

Although Whitchurch fielded a full side, a number of senior players were missing, forcing the side to utilise a very inexperienced forward line. Despite good play from the midfield of Ben Fry, Craig Hockenhull and Aaron Shackleton, Whitchurch struggled to make any impact against a well marshalled Mossley defence. When opportunities did open up, the final pass couldn’t quite find a Whitchurch stick.

Mossley continued to pose a threat with some fast interplay and at times Whitchurch rode their luck or relied on some excellent goalkeeping from Neil Jones to reach half-time at 0-0.

Whitchurch switched to a 3-man defence in the second half and utilising Phil Tranter as a man-marker restricted the Mossley attacking threat in the second half. The change also enabled the full-backs, Doug Buckeridge and James Nicholson to get forward and support the Whitchurch attacks.

Although Mossley Hill continued to dominate possession in the second half, Whitchurch were able to play the game much higher up the pitch and were much more dangerous going forward. Craig Hockenhull, Ben Fry and Aaron Shackleton caused Mossley no end of problems and created a number of good chances. Josh Parry was unfortunate not to be able to sweep home at the back post and had a close-range effort saved by the Mossley keeper. Aaron Swain was also close to a number of good through balls but couldn’t quite get to the ball. From short corners both Iain Bones and Craig Hockenhull had shots at goal well blocked by the Mossley defence and keeper.

At the other end Neil Jones made a number of good stops when Whitchurch were exposed on the counter-attack.

Despite Whitchurch’s good play in the second half they were undone with 10 minutes to go by a great piece of individual skill from Mossley and a fine close range finish with the reverse stick. As Whitchurch pressed for an equaliser Mossley were again able to hit Whitchurch on the counter-attack and from a short corner fired in a second goal just before the end of the game.

Mossley Hill probably deserved the win but despite the 2-0 score line Whitchurch can be pleased with their efforts, particularly in the second half. Mossley Hill were an experienced and talented side, but Whitchurch defended resolutely and posed a real threat to the Mossley goal in the second half.

The defeat leaves Whitchurch 2s in 6^th place in the league.

The 2s are away to Denbigh 2s next weekend.

 

Whitchurch ladies 2s 0 Warrington Ladies 2s 8

Whitchurch entertained second placed Warrington and gave one of their strongest performances of the season. Warrington pushed from the start and although they had the majority of possession Whitchurch restricted them to the minimum of opportunities in the first half.

Warrington eventually broke through the Whitchurch formation with a well-worked goal. Whitchurch continued to battle throughout the game and gave Warrington no easy chances. Goalkeeper Shola Bailey deserved her player of the match award making numerous saves to keep her team in touch with Warrington.

Ashleigh Heath had the best opportunity of the match to score for Whitchurch and her shot was scrambled off the line by some excellent defending. Becky Brookfield held the midfield making numerous tackles protecting support for her defence.

Despite the result Whitchurch took many positives from the game and look forward to next weeks match away to Alderley Edge ladies 6s.

Lymm ladies 4s 0 Whitchurch ladies 1s 3

Whitchurch ladies 1s took the game to Lymm from the start attacking into their dee, this resulted in Phoebe Jones pushing past their defenders to score the first and her first for the club.

Lymm came back hard giving Whitchurch defenders Catherine Reece-Gresty and Katie Fowles plenty to do but with help from Jane Williamson, Catherine Winter-Gresty and Charlotte Lawder the ball was soon back up to the Lymm goal.

Laura Workman was the next to score with help from Ellie Windsor and Hebe Dixon.  At half time Whitchurch were 2-0 up and keen to enter the second half with as much energy.

Lymm started the second half quicker and came back keen to get a shot at goal but keeper Gwyn Thomas-Rees made an amazing save to allow Whitchurch to keep the upper hand. Whitchurch won a penalty corner through Jess Kimberley, from which Jane Williamson passed the ball towards Katie Fowles who pushed it through the keeper’s legs. Whitchurch continued to hold possession of the ball for the majority of the rest of the game as Lymm began to tire.

Whitchurch were happy with the result and looking forward to a home game next week against Timperley 5s.

Sale ladies 3s 0 Whitchurch ladies 1s 13

“Stormin’ start” to second half of season

Whitchurch Ladies 1s travelled to Sale on Saturday to gain a landslide victory. From the outset the Whitchurch team dominated the play, frustrating the opposition and gaining an early lead, to settle the post-Christmas holiday nerves.

Sale had 11 players outfield, opting not to have a goalkeeper, their strategy being to put players high into Whitchurch’s half, looking for opportunities to break through the Whitchurch defence. The Shropshire team were too strong though; with consistent attacks from mid-fielders Lisa Sullivan, Catherine Gresty and Helen Machin, reaching the forward attack of Ellie Windsor, Sue Read, Phoebe Jones and Laura Workman. Another two goals took Whitchurch to a half time score of 3-0.

The second half saw Sale coming back with a strong attack, gaining a short corner soon after, but Whitchurch were determined to block any goals and the defence of goalie Gwyneth Rees-Thomas, supported by Katie Fowles, Catherine Reece-Gresty, Emily Hilton and Jayne ‘Crow’ Williamson ensured that the ball was soon back in the Sale half.

Whitchurch continued with consistent and relentless attacks on the Sale circle, accurate passing, teamwork and skilful moves around the Sale defence began to frustrate the Sale team, resulting in a haul of another 10 goals for Whitchurch. Including a hat—trick for Laura Workman and a first goal ever for defender Emily Hilton. Full time score 13-0. Player of the match was Jayne Williamson. Scorers: Read 4; Workman 3; Sullivan 2; Windsor 1; Fowles 1; Gresty 1; Hilton 1

 

Whitchurch Mens 2s  2 Runcorn Mens 3s 0

After a 5 week break over Christmas, Whitchurch 2s returned to action with a home fixture against third-placed Runcorn 3s. The 2s beat Runcorn earlier on in the season in one of the few games they were able to field a full squad of players. Once again Whitchurch were able to field a full squad for what turned out to be a close, competitive fixture.

The opening exchanges were fairly even, but Whitchurch took the lead after 10 minutes through a fine finish by Jack Barnes from a short corner.

For most of the first half Whitchurch were able to control their opponents. The three-man defence of Iain Bones, Ryan Murtagh and the fierce tackling Mark Sugden restricted the Runcorn side to just one effort on goal in the first half. The front two of Jack Barnes and Ben Fry caused the Runcorn defence all sorts of problems and created a number of chances that were well saved by the Runcorn keeper.

Unfortunately despite their superiority Whitchurch were unable to increase their lead before half-time.

Runcorn came out in the second half with more purpose and aggression, forcing Whitchurch back towards their own D. However with the defence standing firm and some tireless work tracking back from the midfield of Craig Hockenhull, Phil Tranter, Richard Leigh, Jake Wood, Aaron Swain, Aaron Shackleton and Doug Buckeridge, Runcorn struggled to create many clear shots at goal.

On the odd occasion that Runcorn did get their shots away, Neil Jones was up to the task with some excellent stops and clearances. With his Christmas present fixed to the frame of the goal, the video evidence will soon be on YouTube …

Despite conceding territory, Whitchurch were always a threat on the counter attack. Early in the second half a good clearance from Ryan Murtagh was worked to Jack Barnes on half-way. Jack ran the full length of the pitch before squaring brilliantly for Ben Fry to score at the back post.

Whitchurch created good chances throughout the second half. Ben Fry had shots well stopped by the Runcorn keeper, Aaron Swain shot narrowly wide after a good move and Jake Wood was millimetres away from diverting in another opportunity.

Whitchurch’s good work was almost undone in the final few minutes of the game. As Whitchurch tired, Runcorn were able to force a short corner, which was well worked to enable them to fire past Neil Jones from close range to reduce the deficit to a single goal.

Runcorn pushed forward again and forced a succession of short corners in the final moments. Brilliant defending and goalkeeping repelled all of Runcorn’s late efforts and Whitchurch hung on for a hard-fought 2-1 victory.

This was another excellent team performance from Whitchurch against a good, competitive Runcorn team. Despite the rustiness in some of their play following the long break from competitive hockey, Whitchurch defended solidly and were always a threat going forward. It was also good to welcome team captain Phil Tranter back to competitive hockey after a long lay-off from injury.

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

The 2s are away to Whitchurch 1s next weekend.

 

Whitchurch ladies 2s 1 Crewe ladies 3s 4

Whitchurch played their first match after the Christmas break taking on local rivals Crewe Vagrants. Whitchurch started took the game to Crewe from the start and for the 15 minutes restricted Crewe whilst being awarded a number of penalty corners, which they failed to convert. As Crewe began to settle the forwards began to trouble the Whitchurch defence with their pace.

Whitchurch rode their luck pressing high and Shola Bailey in goal pulled off three good saves to keep the game even between the two sides. Crewe with the first penalty corner off the game took the lead as Whitchurch lost their concentration and they had a straight forward shot into the back of the goal.

Despite both sides having opportunities the score remained in favour of the visitors at the break.

Crewe took the lead at the start off the second half when the ball came to their forward at the top of the dee and the shot left the keeper no chance as it glanced off the post and into the goal. Whitchurch maintained their pressure on Crewe and their work rate was rewarded when Jess Kimberley picked out Hayleigh Busby in the dee who calmly rolled the ball into the path off Charlotte Lawder to score her first goal for the club.

Whitchurch lost their concentration after the goal and were again punished as Crewe took the lead with a well-worked goal. Whitchurch continued to push for the equaliser but after the extended break for Christmas fitness began to tell in the later part of the game and as they pushed forward for further goals Crewe punished them with one further goal on the break.

The 2s were pleased with the way they played having given a solid and hard working performance and the team is improving week by week, they forced the best out of Crewe to earn the victory and will take this into their game next week away to Macclesfield 4s.