Hockey: Alderley warm to promotion challenge

In the North Hockey League First division, Alderley Edge travelled to Sheffield, to play their first game for 3 weeks.

Sheffield were keen to play the game, clearing the pitch of snow and frost throughout the week, and going into the game in joint third place, both teams knew victory was vital.

Surprisingly Sheffield were slow out of the blocks allowing Alderley chance to settle into the game.

Once again the Alderley front line of Sam Gregory, James Warburton and Ben Gregory, were tireless and thwarted any chance of Sheffield breaking quickly. Whilst a disciplined midfield of Butterworth, McPherson and Williams ensured possession was maintained when Alderley had the ball and the pressure high when Sheffield were in control - this gave the backline the opportunity to dictate to the forwards how the game was to be played.

Sam Gregory almost gave Alderley the lead when Ben Gregory’s cross was deflected into his path but the first time deflection flew narrowly wide. However, Alderley did take the lead when, from the first penalty corner of the day, Warburton’s strike evaded the keeper on the bouncy surface.

Keeper Riley was having one of his quieter days as Scarsbrook and Badger kept their opponents quiet and Sawas and Barnes won virtually every tackle.

Alderley had a half chance when a good run off the ball from Wildig was found with a neat pass but his first touch forced him wide. Alderley had plenty of possession in and around the D and on the base line without taking full advantage.

The second half was much the same, Sheffield playing further upfield and using an extra striker, but repeatedly having to come deep to find possession. This suited Alderley perfectly and they were able to stick to the same game plan throughout.

Alderley got their second from the penalty spot after a shot from a penalty corner was illegally stopped on the line. McPherson coolly converted.

Sheffield went down to 10 men when their keeper lashed out at Wildig following an altercation and was given ten minutes in the sin-bin. Sheffield defended resolutely and Alderley could not add to their tally with Barnes having a shot saved on line and Sawas seeing a deflected effort go wide.

When back to full strength Sheffield pushed on, and substituted their keeper for a striker but did not really threaten. But then with 3 minutes to go a crashed ball into the D took a fortunate deflection and ended at the stick of the forward in front of the goal to make it 2-1. Sheffield had time for one last chance but Riley intercepted the cross shot and Alderley came off deserved victors.

The only other game to beat the freeze was the 3rd team who edged an 11-goal thriller, 6-5 away at Chester.

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