Alderley Edge Men's Hockey 1st team put together their most complete performance of the season to defeat visiting Sheffield Bankers.
Alderley got off to a quick start and for the third week running had their opponents penned in their own half and this lead to a couple of half chances and a penalty corner. The first goal was not long in coming, Ben Gregory getting on the end of a well constructed move.
Bankers responded well and from their first meaningful attack won a penalty corner, that with the aid of a deflection off an Alderley stick found the back of the net.
However, Alderley then hit a purple patch and played some attractive passing hockey. Butterworth, McPherson and Williams were picking off the opposition with relative ease and setting the forwards on their way. A fast flowing break from a Bankers corner saw the visiting defence fragmented and it lead to Sam Gregory having a simple finish. Time and again Alderley had Bankers in trouble as they stretched the game. Another neat passing exchange gave Sam Gregory his second, and on the stroke of half time a save by Riley from a Bankers penalty corner lead to another counter attack, and a neat bit of skill from Ben Gregory gave him his second goal of the game.
The Alderley backline were looking strong and Sawas and Brown won virtually every tackle and Barnes and Scarsbrook were able to start the attacks. Alderley converted a penalty stroke through James McPherson, after pressure in the Bankers 'D' lead to a crude foul.
James Warburton then showed why he is the league's top scorer with a hat-trick in seven minutes, first converting his own rebound from a penalty corner, followed by applying the finish to another good attack. Then showing what a good day it was for Alderley, finishing a penalty corner set move.
Chris Baker-Brian fitted in comfortably at the back, making a solid return to the first team set-up, and Ben Badger recovered from injury made a memorable return to action.
With Bankers out on their feet, Alderley maintained the pressure right up to the final whistle and were rewarded with a back post finish from Adam Wildig, following good interplay down the right wing, and Sam Gregory completed the scoring and his hat-trick putting the finishing touch to another Alderley set piece.
This was a truly magnificent display and the score line of 10-1, was fully justified as Alderley looked a threat throughout and did not take all of the chances they created, with the Bankers' keeper making several good saves and a couple of inexplicable misses.
In the coming weeks Alderley face other teams who are with them at the summit of the league table, so will hope to maintain their excellent form.
