Hockey: Alderley’s fine run continues

Alderley Edge Men’s first team became only the second team this season to claim points of unbeaten City of York in North Hockey Division One on Saturday.

Starting brightly Alderley could have taken the lead when James McPherson’s first shot was blocked and he fired the rebound just wide of the top corner. Alderley also forced the York keeper into several saves from both open play and penalty corners.

City of York fought back and almost scored from a drag-flicked penalty corner, James Riley diving to tip it on to the post.

The game was then quite even for the rest of the first half with both teams patiently waiting for an opportunity to attack. In the final moments of the first half a strong York tackle went unpunished and they worked the ball well in the D for the opening goal.

Alderley started the second half well as both teams were a little more adventurous. League top scorer James Warburton pulled Alderley back level with a fine finish from a penalty corner move.

Then City of York had there best spell, with Alderley’s defence having to be at their best, Scarsbrook and Brown tackled well and Badger was able to get Alderley out of tricky situations. Butterworth and Williams were combative in midfield and McPherson had the better of his opposite number. But York were awarded a penalty corner and after Baker-Brian looked to have dealt with the initial danger a second corner was awarded and a slick routine saw the ball deflected high into the net.

Alderley tried to fight back and Gregory was able to run at his marker, but the breakthrough did not come, and York broke away and won another corner and again a slick routine saw a deflection send the ball into the roof of the net.

With only ten minutes to go Alderley looked out of it, but they rallied and produced a sterling fight back. Warburton grabbed his 14th league goal of the season and then Khalid Sawas capped a fine match by finishing off a rebound from another penalty corner.

Alderley set siege to the York goal, with final passes just missing their target. The last attack saw the ball fired into the D and as it evaded several players, Ben Gregory made a great effort to get a touch on the ball but it was not strong enough to direct it into the goal and the game finished 3-3.

Elsewhere in the club points flowed with the 2s winning 5-0 at Bowdon, Alex Morgan with a brace. The 3s and 5s also beat Bowdon 6-1 and 4-3 respectively and the 4s drew 1-1.

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