Match reports 28/02/15

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.

Match Reports 21/02/15

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.

 

Match reports 14/02/15

Whitchurch ladies 1s 11 Macclesfield ladies 4s 1

The game started late after a Macclesfield car containing the goalkeeper and captain broke down on the way too the match. Whitchurch lent the opposition their away kit and provided a goalkeeping kit so the game could commence.

Whitchurch took the game to Macclesfield from the start with numerous penalty corners but it took Whitchurch a while to break down the resolute Macclesfield defence. Katie Plant opened the scoring deflecting home a penalty corner. Jane Williamson got the second not long after deflecting home a cross from Chloe Crump on the right wing. The third came as Lisa Sullivan drove down the base line and picked out Nicola Workman for the third. With almost the last action of the half Macclesfield scored from a penalty corner.

Whitchurch came out in the second half to prove a point and attacked from the off. Katie Plant scored another from a penalty corner followed by a ten-minute hattrick from Sue Read and not to be out done Katie Plant scored her third of the game. Jane Williamson scored her second of the game shooting from the top of the dee past the stranded keeper and Chloe Crump got on the score sheet poaching off the keeper’s pads. In the final minutes of the game Ellie Windsor deflected home a cross from Catherine Gresty for her first team goal.

Whitchurch 1s entertain Oxton ladies 3s at home next weekend in a re-arranged fixture.

 

Whitchurch ladies 2s 0 Neston ladies 4s 5

The second team ladies started slowly and Neston took full advantage scoring two goals early on in the match. Whitchurch settled and started to play the ball around and control the match. Whitchurch were awarded a number of penalty corners but couldn’t get the final touch.

The second half saw Whitchurch continue to pressure through new girls Wendy Page, Nina Brown and Evelyn Crathern. Laura Hollinshead came closest too finding the elusive goal they needed when her shot was saved on the line as the Whitchurch side tired Neston clinically scored three goals from three penalty corners.

The second team have a break next week from the league returning to action on the 28th February.

Match reports 07/02/15

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.