Academy News, Match Reports

U10/U12 Tournament on Sunday 12 October

We had a very encouraging start to our U10 and U12 competitive season yesterday – eleven matches in all, without a single goal being conceded!
The U10s kicked off the day, with a lot of our players getting their first taste of competitive hockey.  Despite having most of the possession and attacking chances in all their games, they were just unable to score the goals needed to secure the victories they deserved, drawing all their games 0-0!  Molly Fry in goal was only called on a handful of times, but stayed alert to make a couple of important saves and some solid clearances.  Alex Leigh controlled the defence and set up much of the attacking play down the right through Jacob Buckeridge who ran non-stop throughout all the games and set up a lot of the goal-scoring opportunities.  Will Conacher and Ethan Gresty provided much of the attacking and defensive play down the middle of the pitch and, while unlucky not to convert a few of the chances, closed down most of the opposition counter-attacking play very effectively.  Olivia Dyer provided some excellent and tenacious attacking support in her first ever run-out, and Sophie Jones displayed some very composed defensive support on her debut, to ensure we were rarely threatened at the back.
The U12s achieved a very pleasing set of results, winning five of their games and drawing one.  Again, Maddy Sugden in goal wasn’t busy for long periods, but made a couple of decisive saves when required, and Hebe Dixon was largely responsible for keeping the number of opposition chances down with some very solid defending, as well as stepping up to score twice from short corners.  Millie Edwards and Izzy Huxley provided much of the midfield support, getting back to defend and helping to move the ball upfield to attack, linking with Joseph Coburn who ran tirelessly to dominate the centre of midfield.  Also strong in midfield and attack were Alex Dyer, who was rewarded with a goal for all his efforts on his debut for the club, and Natalie Windsor who provided some determined support going forward.  Up front Millie Forster showed great strength in holding the ball to set up a lot of attacking play, linking well with Amy Fry who converted three more of our chances.
Many thanks to everyone who came along to play and support.  It was great to see the enthusiasm of the U10s matched by the developing hockey craft displayed by the U12s, which should set us up for a very enjoyable season and gives us a great base for all our other Academy players to join in with.
General News, Match Reports

11/10/14 Ladies 1s match report

Macclesfield ladies 4s    0      Whitchurch Ladies 1s    4

The Whitchurch Ladies 1st are really championing this season as they secure another win.

It was a slow start for Whitchurch, the opposition were placing a lot of pressure on us as we battled towards the goal. Our first goal came from a fabulously converted short corner by Lisa Sullivan with a cracking shot hitting the backboard of the opposition’s goal. Gwyneth Thomas-Rees saw her fair share of action and she made some fantastic saves and maintained a clean sheet with the great support from Catherine Reece-Gresty, Claire Roberts and Julia Neale. A short corner laid out to Jane Williamson, who then slipped Catherine Gresty the ball to score another goal taking us to 2-0 at half time.

Emily Vernon and Jess Kimberley worked tirelessly on the wings and helped push the game Whitchurch’s way. Jane Williamson was absolutely on fire this week sealing another goal with a straight strike from the top of the dee off of a short corner to earn a well-deserved Player of the Match. Midfield saw plenty of action with Vicki Price, Catherine Gresty and Lisa Sullivan putting the pressure on Macclesfield. In the final throws of the game, Sue Reed skilled round the opposition’s defence to perform a sleek pass to Chloe Crump who managed to score an astonishing last minute goal for Whitchurch resulting in a 4-0 victory for the away game.

General News, Match Reports

Ladies match reports 04/10/14

Whitchurch ladies 1s 8 Crewe Vagrants ladies 3s 1

Yet another victory for the Whitchurch Ladies 1st this weekend with a great 8-1 win against Crewe Vagrants.

The ball spent most of its time in opposition’s half this Saturday due to some fantastic defence from Jayne ‘Crow’ Williamson, Catherine Reece-Gresty and Julia Neale with some powerful push passes away from our goal, as a result of this brilliant clearance and defence, our goal keeper Gwyn Thomas-Rees didn’t see much action.

In the first half, we pushed forward fiercely, with our attacking ladies putting a lot of pressure on the opposition’s defence, especially Sue Read, who throughout the game had several attempts on goal. The deadlock was broken when Chloe Crump received a great pass from Jess Kimberley, pushed forward for the goal and scored twice for our team.

This week the ladies had several short corners, a greatly structured short corner with outstanding team play by the ladies allowed Catherine Gresty to convert the corner to bring the lead at half time to 3-0.

In the second half, the ladies didn’t show any sign of tiring, as they started to set up the foundations of their dramatic lead. Claire Roberts threw herself into the action as she cleared the ball with great tackles.

Vicki Price snatched the ball from the opposition and ran up the pitch to set up a great goal by Sue Read, resulting in a 4-0 lead, but Whitchurch Ladies weren’t stopping there. In a great mix up of Crewe and Whitchurch players, Sue Read, who had possession of the ball was knocked to the floor, however with a sweeping shot whilst lounged on the pitch secured Whitchurch another well deserved goal!

Some great play by Emily Vernon enabled the ball to stay in oppositions half of the pitch. Another example of wonderful teamwork by the Ladies saw Jane Williamson convert two highly strategized short corners.

Unfortunately, a fantastic run from a Crewe player, they were able to infiltrate our defence and slide past our goalkeeper to score their one and only goal.

In a literal last second, Lisa Sullivan was able to perform an epic push shot that glided into the opposition’s goal, leaving the final score at an outstanding 8-1 to our talented Whitchurch Ladies 1st.

 

Whitchurch ladies 2s 0 Neston South Wirral 3s 6

The result didn’t reflect the effort put in by the team against one of the top teams in the league. Whitchurch fielded a much-changed side and suffered in the early stages as Neston made all the running and Whitchurch struggled to settle. Clinical finishing of their opportunities and solid defending from Neston saw them race into a 4-0 lead at the half time break.

The second half saw another inspired performance by Emily Hilton in goal to keep Whitchurch in the game and the tireless work of Nina Hodges, Monique Higgs and Natalie Hollins in the midfield held Neston at bay for long periods. In the closing stages Neston took advantage as the Whitchurch side tired to score two quick goals on the break.

General News, Match Reports

Ladies match reports 27/09/14

Neston South Wirral ladies 4s   0    Whitchurch ladies 1s    14

Yet another stunning victory for our Whitchurch Ladies 1st this weekend with an astonishing 14-0 victory over Neston. This away game saw fast passed action from start to finish, with Whitchurch building on their previous success to gain the biggest goal difference to date.

Our team had a stunning conversion rate in our short corners, resulting in commendable goals. Jane ‘Crow’ Williamson scored an extraordinary goal with a run all the way up the field to the opposition’s goal.

Debutante Nicola Workman saw plenty of action as she went on to score five of our goals with panache and Chloe Crump, one of our younger players went on to score a fantastic three goals for the team.

Sue Read, whilst scoring one of her four goals, literally ran around every player in the Dee to score with flare.

Both Catherine Gresty and Jess Kimberley made some superb shots into the Dee setting up some great goals. Hannah Morgan-Wynn really championed pushing the ball forward to enable the goals we scored, with Julia Neale working relentlessly on the wing to support our victorious efforts.

Monique Higgs our goalkeeper didn’t see much action this Saturday as the fabulous defence team Claire Roberts, captain Catherine Reece-Gresty and Jane Williamson guarded the goal valiantly as Neston attempted to push forwards.

Lisa Sullivan got the Whitchurch player of the match and the final goal.

The 1s entertain Crewe 3s in their next match 12.00 start at the Whitchurch Leisure Centre.

 

Crewe Vagrants ladies 3s 2 Whitchurch ladies 2s   0

The first half of the match was evenly balanced with both teams having plenty of chances on goal. There were some blistering runs down both sides of the pitch from Ellie Windsor and Phoebe Jones but the team just lacked the finishing touch. A quick break by Crewe’s player of the match saw the opening goal just before half time.

Crewe started the second half with more determination but thanks to great work by debut keeper, Emily Hilton, the goal tally remained unchanged. Constant pressure from midfield players Becky Brookfield, Charlotte Ridgeway and Hayley Busby thwarted many of the Crewe offensives.

Crewe squeezed a second goal from a rather untidy short corner in the closing stages of the game. The Whitchurch players never gave up and can take heart from a good performance and look forward to their next match at home against Neston South Wirral 3s starting at 15.00 at the Whitchurch Leisure centre.