Alderley Edge Men’s 1st team entertained Sheffield Hallam on Saturday and produced another crowd pleasing match.
Robbed of the services of Danny Butterworth before the game started and facing a strong Sheffield squad, Alderley knew that they would be up against it to keep up their challenge for top spot, and so it proved.
Alderley were quick out of the blocks and inside the first minute Ben Gregory found himself in possession inside the D, but his cross-shot failed to find its target.
Both teams were looking to spray the ball around and were working hard in defence. The Sheffield ‘keeper blocked a Gregory cross with players well placed and James Riley in Alderley’s goal was having his busiest game of the season, with Sheffield looking for neat deflections around the goal mouth.
Alderley then hit a purple patch, first Wildig and Coxon combined to pull the defence and ‘keeper out of position and the ball was cut back for Chris Cook to score his first Alderley goal.
In the very next attack Gregory broke free and his reverse stick cross was turned in at the back post by James Warburton for his 11th league goal of the season. Just moments later another good passing move involving Barnes and Joe Gregory again set the now rampant forwards free and this time it was Ben Gregory on hand to apply the finish.
Sheffield kept coming forward and Scarsbrook was forced into a couple of timely interventions and full backs Badger and Kay were made to reduce their attacking intentions.
Just before half time Sheffield pulled one back, when a period of pressure in the D lead to several attempts on goal and eventually a Sheffield forward unleashed a fierce reverse stick shot high into the roof of the net.
The second half started badly with Alderley turning the ball over too frequently, this lead to Sheffield having possession in the attacking third and poor marking allowed them back into the game.
Worse was to follow as Alderley failed to clear their lines and a loose bobbling ball was smartly finished making the score 3-3 mid way through the second half.
Alderley were not finished and Williams was still trying to keep the momentum going forcing the play. Then good play from Warburton won Alderley their first penalty corner of the game. Warburton’s initial shot was saved with the rebound falling kindly to Barnes, his shot was then well turned in by Khalid Sawas deflecting the ball into the top corner to give Alderley the lead.
The drama was not over as Sheffield piled forward and brought on an attacker in place of their goalkeeper and set siege on the Alderley goal. With only two minutes remaining Sheffield were awarded a penalty corner, and a deflected shot forced Riley into a diving save at the foot of the post. Alderley saw out the last minute and the win puts them in second place in North Division One.
The Second team also had a good win, and they are currently joint top of NW 2, they travelled to Liverpool University and ran out 4-2 winners, Chris Hardy with a penalty corner, Sam Baker and Matt Hardy amongst the scorers.
In a great week for the Men’s teams, the 4s won 4-0 against Brooklands, the 6th team won 3-0 at Winnington Park and the 3s drew 3-3 away at Deeside and 5s both drew 1-1 with Macclesfield.
This is a member post by James Riley.
