Whitchurch Mens 1s 1 – Birkenhead Mens 1s 3

Whitchurch travelled to Birkenhead for their first away-game of the season, against a team that had mirrored the Reds’ own quick rise through the lower two divisions of the league. Birkenhead were a team of skilful, seasoned players who immediately put the Whitchurch defence under heavy and persistent pressure. With the 2s match postponed, Danny Foulkes stepped up to the 1s to combine with James Partington in central defence, flanked by Tom Forster and Airan Jones, and worked well to repel the well-worked plays down both wings. Marking was tight, with Jones having an exceptional game on the left, often nullifying their right wing’s impact and forcing them to recycle across the pitch.

In the middle Jack Barnes again had a strong controlling role, commanding the centre and getting the ball out wide to Alex Fry and Ben Kimberley in the midfield, and then up to Sam Conway on the right, Nick Cooper in the middle and Fred Egerton on the left. Cooper and Egerton also stepped up from the 2s and had solid games, helping the 1s get through their player shortage – Ben Fry’s injuries from last week mean a few weeks away from the team – but were often cut out from the match by a solid midfield and defence combined with a high press from Birkenhead. That pressure finally told, after several important saves, with a drive down the right ending in a shot being well blocked initially by Paul “Sturge” Leigh in goal but rebounding into the path of a striker and the shot was put away well.

Whitchurch responded strongly and thought they had got an equaliser from a short corner, but Conway’s clean strike through to the back of the net was disallowed as the umpire had blown to give Whitchurch another short corner just as the ball was struck. It was with some frustration that half time came with the Reds 1-0 down, but the talk from captain Fry was about continuing to do well the things they had been doing well during the first half, whilst maintaining a bit more composure on the ball.

The second half started in the same vein, and some excellent work from all led to a pass from Conway to Barnes to Cooper ending with Kimberley being able to put the ball over the keeper. Again, Whitchurch thought they had another goal, from Cooper at a short corner, but it was ruled out after some confusion from the umpires over which of the various line markings on the pitch the ball needed to have crossed.

At this point frustrations showed from both teams, and an over-zealous tackle and reaction saw a player from each team receive a yellow-card. The pressure was back on immediately, and Sturge in goal was instrumental in keeping the scoreline steady: his saves stopped several goals, and allowed the defence to clear with confidence. Unfortunately, a quick sixteen taken from deep in the Reds’ dee was cut out by the retreating Birkenhead forwards and drilled back into the Whitchurch goal. This was followed shortly by the best goal of the game as Birkenhead put together a flowing move and managed to get a sharp ball through the Reds’ defence to a striker on the back post who was able to guide the ball home for their third.

The game ended 3-1 to Birkenhead, but there were a lot of positives to take from the game: strong defence, good marking, good movement going forward and, perhaps critically, no goals scored from the many short corners that Birkenhead won. This was mostly down to the man-of-the-match, Sturge, commanding his dee and ensuring that the scoreline was fair in a match that could easily have gone either way. Whitchurch are at home next week to Runcorn 3s.

Oxon ladies 2s 0 Whitchurch ladies 3s 1

Whitchurch ladies 1s travelled to West Kirby to play 3rd in the division Oxton 2s. Knowing it was going to be a tough game Whitchurch held positions and made it very difficult for Oxton to make any headway towards the goal.

Accurate passes and good communication payed off for Whitchurch as their first goal was scored from a slap into the dee by Sophie Ward to Hebe Dixon, slipping to Grace Berry on post to score.

Oxton kept on hitting through mid field with big hits for defence Millie Edwards and Catherine Reese-Gresty to collect and send back up to mid players Lisa Sullivan, Stephanie Stanton and Helen Machin. Whitchurch had a run of short corners which resulted in Hebe Dixon scoring from a straight strike. Whitchurch players Ellie Windsor and Catherine Winter-Gresty kept firing balls into the Oxton dee allowing Whitchurch plenty of shots on goal and also keeping Oxton defence on their toes.

After half time Oxton pushed hard passing up the pitch making Whitchurch keeper Maddy Sugden make an amazing save, but then Oxton were awarded a short. Whitchurch came out fast with Catherine Winter-Gresty reaching the ball and deflecting away from goal.

As Oxton tired Whitchurch kept the pressure on and managed a third goal, Lisa Sullivan fired into the dee and Jessica Carruthers flicked over the keeper. With 5 minutes to go Whitchurch ladies were strong and held together for a very well deserved 3-0 win. Ellie Windsor received the match players player for her outstanding play.

Ladies 1s play at home next week against Winnington Park 2s.

Whitchurch ladies 3s 1 Wilmslow ladies 5s 1

It was a great match for the Ladies 3rds on saturday, with them gaining their first point of the season. Whitchurch started off strong, with some promising runs made down the middle of the pitch, and some close shots narrowly missing the goal. Izzy Huxley made some fantastic attacks down the wing, finishing with some great shots at the goal by Sue Read. Whitchurch kept up their determined play, with Mel Reid and Jan Teggin forming a solid defence at the back of the pitch, and fending off all of Wilmslow’s attacks on goal. Unfortunately, by half time, no goals were scored, despite their advantage in possession, keeping the score at 0-0.

After half time, Whitchurch went back on, feeling energised, and as persistent as in the first half. Early on in the second half, Caitlin Edwards managed to score a lovely goal, putting Whitchurch one goal up. They kept this up, with Annie leigh and Caitlin Shaw making some promising runs down the side. Whitchurch maintained their lead for most of the quarter, with some incredible defending form Martha Teggin, and some brilliant saves from their keeper, Louis Cotteril. Unluckily, in the last 10 minutes of the game, Wilmslow managed to come back and scored a goal, evening out the score to 1-1. Whitchurch continued to battle to try to win back this goal, but were unsuccessful, concluding their game with a draw off 1-1.

Caitlin Edwards was awarded player of the match.

Both the ladies and men’s 2s games were cancelled as their opposition failed to raise teams.

Whitchurch Men’s 1s 2  Lymm Men’s 2s 2

Whitchurch started their season at home against a team from Lymm who finished one place above them last year and had proved capable opposition in both matches, so were set for a tough, competitive match. With a change in personnel for the new season, the Reds were able to give games to new players whilst restructuring the formations around the current players so it was the first chance to see how that would work.

Craig Hockenhull led the charge from the front, playing a number of good one-two movements with Peter Scales and Tom Forster on the wings. Jack Barnes provided the strength in midfield, flanked by Ben Kimberley and Ben Fry, and they were able to command large periods of the first half, with Airan Jones and Sam Conway rotating in for the wingers to ensure the pressure was always on the Lymm defence. That pressure eventually told as, after a number of near misses and saves by the Lymm keeper, a goalmouth scramble allowed Ben Kimberley to put the ball through the keeper’s legs for the Reds’ first goal.

Lymm took this as an opportunity to restructure their attack, moving to a plan of leaving a high man up and hoping for a lucky ball through the middle or left, but the defence of Rob Chappell, James Partington, Alex Fry and Jake Wood were able to withstand most of the attacks, and Lymm were unlucky with their last touches on a couple of occasions and what did go at goal was dealt with positively by Paul “Sturge” Leigh. Eventually their attacks bore fruit as a drive down the right wing and across the baseline took an unfortunate bobble over a defender’s stick allowing it through to the striker who was able to get it past Sturge in goal.

At one-all, the half-time talk was all about maintaining what had been a solid performance in the first half, not letting heads drop and just to continue to do things the right way. The game continued to be very evenly balanced and allowed for some real moments of skill with the midfield and forwards putting together some of the smooth, slick hockey that has been a growing part of the Whitchurch game. With time ticking, and early-season fitness yet to blossom, Lymm were able to take advantage on the break to put pressure on the Reds’ defence to claim a short corner, and some good fortune on their part saw their strike bounce back onto a diving keeper to go in.

Whitchurch rallied though, and were able to draw level again through some well worked passes through the middle allowing Alex Fry a shot on goal that the keeper could only fend off into the path of a rapidly arriving Hockenhull who put the ball away confidently. The end of the game was marred by an injury to Ben Fry whose stick got caught causing a painful shoulder injury, so we wish him a speedy recovery. The 2-2 result was a fair reflection of a good game played in a fine spirit between two evenly matched teams. The man of the match is shared between Barnes, Kimberley and Ben Fry for taking control of the game and giving the rest of the team a foundation from which to build.

Whitchurch ladies 3s 0 Macclesfield ladies 4s 3

Whitchurch started strong and took possession despite Macclesfield having first push back. Annie Buckeridge drove the ball through the midfield to have first shot on goal going just wide.

Whitchurch maintained the majority of possession, Emily Hilton making some lovely interceptions and quick passes to Kate Buckeridge who created many opportunities on the wing.

Despite being the dominant force Whitchurch succumbed to a strong hit from the Macclesfield defence and a fast attack which they clinically finished.

Whitchurch kept up the high work rare and quick passes between Caitlin Edwards and Holly Gilbert give Whitchurch more chances on goal.

The second half saw Whitchurch come back with determination however newly empowered Macclesfield were hungry for more and dominated the early exchanges. Great defending by both Jan Teggin and Emily Lister brought Whitchurch back to life. Martha Teggin held the midfield well making some lovely passes. Whitchurch regained possession and had more opportunities to pressure the Macclesfield dee but without success.

Despite great efforts Macclesfield scored their second goal about 15 minutes into the half. Macclesfield continued the attacks, Louise Cotterill worked hard in goal saving a number of shots but eventually from a short corner Macclesfield scored their 3rd goal.

Whitchurch ladies continued to work and regain possession until the final whistle but without reward.

Golborne Men’s 3s 8 Whitchurch Men’s 2s 0

Whitchurch Men’s 2s began their league campaign, full of optimism, with a lunchtime trip to Warrington to play Golborne 3s. Despite the absence of Captain Neil Jones, the Reds were able to take a squad of 15 to Warrington, including 8 senior players; however, things didn’t go quite as they’d hoped.

Whitchurch started brightly enough, with both sides battling for control of midfield and able to make progress up to their opponent’s dee before the attacks broke down. Iain Bones, Wyn Morris and Mark Sugden were excellent in defence for the Reds, breaking up the Golborne attacks and driving the ball forward, where Nick Cooper was linking well with Fred Egerton and Euan Morris on the wings to give Golborne a few nervy moments.

Midway through the first half a Whitchurch attack broke down on the edge of the Golborne dee, and the home side were able to break with numbers on the exposed Whitchurch defence. With superior numbers, Golborne worked the ball around the Reds defenders and opened the scoring … and the floodgates.

As Whitchurch drove forward in search of a goal, they continued to leave big gaps in midfield. Phil Tranter and Danny Foulkes were both left exposed in the centre of the pitch as Golborne’s powerful runners led the counter-attacks on the Whitchurch goal. The defence continued to work hard to keep the ball away from goal and Gareth Teggin, making his senior debut in goal, made some excellent saves and clearances, but Golborne scored twice more to take a 3-0 lead into the half-time break.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first. In the early stages of the half Whitchurch moved the ball forward quite neatly, with Joe Faithfull and James Page creating width and Joe Coburn providing some controlled possession in attacking areas. The defence kept the Golborne attacks away from goal and Gareth made a number of good clearances when called upon.

But as legs began to tire and substitutes rotated on, Whitchurch began to lose some control. Again as attacks broke down near the Golborne dee, the Reds were exposed by powerful running on the counter-attack. With the defence and Gareth struggling to deal with greater numbers, playing good attacking hockey, Golborne began to score at will, ultimately running out winners by eight goals to nil.

This was a chastening experience for Whitchurch. They played well in patches, but struggled to really threaten the Golborne goal from open play. Particular mention should go to Euan Morris, Joe Faithfull, Joe Coburn and Nick Cooper who combined well when attacking down the right, but ultimately the Golborne defenders were able to prevent the moves turning into clear shots at goal. It was nice to welcome Phil Tranter and Dave Mitchell-Lane back to 2s hockey after a few years away from the game, and 13 year-old Ethan Gresty acquitted himself really well in his first senior game.

In the end Golborne’s experience, technical skill and powerful running were too much for Whitchurch and they were deserved winners.