Hockey: Alderley Edge National Cup tie

In the EHB National knock-out competition Alderley Edge hosted Gateshead for a place in the last 16.

The visitors got off to the better start playing effective passing hockey and they took the lead when the first penalty corner of the match took a deflection off an Alderley defender.

Gateshead continued to push forward, slowly but surely Alderley got themselves back in to the game, James McPherson was instrumental in leading the charge. With the defence looking more assured Alderley went on the offensive.

The Gregory brothers and Adam Wildig were able to cause problems for Gateshead when running at the opposition, but last ditch tackling or good interceptions thwarted most of Alderley’s good work. Andy Taylor made his first team debut and fitted in well.

The equaliser came from a penalty corner when McPherson’s goal bound effort hit a defender on the line and a penalty stroke was awarded. The goalkeeper got a glove to McPherson’s flick but couldn’t keep it out.

Gateshead began to tire, which wasn’t surprising after as there 12 man squad had put in real effort to match Alderley stride for stride and they were aggrieved when an offence was missed by the officials allowing Alderley to break forward and win a penalty corner. McPherson’s shot again hit a defender, this time Khalid Sawas managed to deflect the ball over the line.

Alderley were not at their best, but on the whole had more chances than the visitors and deserved to go through. Credit must go to Gateshead for the passion and skill they played with.

In the league game on Saturday third placed Alderley Edge travelled to second placed Leeds, looking to leapfrog their opponents. It wasn’t to be as a well organised Leeds team proved more efficient at set-pieces scoring two penalty corners with neat routines and finished well when given the opportunity. Alderley looked for the killer pass a little too often and despite stretching the Leeds defence on numerous occasions they were unable to get in front. A late goal from Sam Gregory was not enough and the score finished 4-2.

The seconds drew 3-3 with Lancaster Uni, Chris Hardy and Olie Jones on the scoresheet. The 3rd and 4th teams also drew 1-1 with Oxton and 0-0 with Macclesfield respectively and the 5ths went down to a more spritely Preston side.

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