Hockey: Edge go top of the league

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Alderley Edge Men's 1st had reason to celebrate after going top of North Division One, after beating Newcastle Uni 3-1, and progressing to the last 32 of the EHB Trophy with a 6-0 victory against Sunderland.

On Saturday for the second week running Alderley lost a player before the game, Ben Badger suffering from a mystery illness. However, they started brightly playing at a high tempo, but they were matched by the students and it was the Uni side that took the lead when neat passing allowed a forward to be unmarked in the D and he finished smartly.

As the half went on Alderley were able to increase the pressure and the midfield of Joe Gregory, Andy Williams and Laurence Barnes forced Newcastle further back, giving Alderley an attacking base.

As the half drew to a close Alderley won a penalty corner of their own, the ball was slipped to Barnes who squeezed his shot past the 'keeper for the equaliser.

The second half was much improved from Alderley and they were able to dominate with Warburton working well and pulling the strings and Kay able to attack from the back.

Wildig and Coxon were keeping Newcastle on the back foot with their endeavours, and they were rewarded when neat interplay lead to another penalty corner. Again the Alderley routine was spot on and Khalid Sawas neatly finished putting Alderley ahead.

The game was made safe when a turnover in midfield allowed Alderley to break at pace and Ben Gregory was on hand to apply a smart finish.

Alderley were able to keep composure at the back and retained good quality possession - ensuring that the three points and top spot were theirs.

On Sunday, Sunderland were the visitors and Alderley were in control of the game throughout, the superior ball pace made it a difficult afternoon for the visitors.

Joe Coxon opened the scoring when he was able to work the ball on to his reverse stick side and unleashed a thunderbolt into the far top corner.

Sunderland had a chance from a penalty corner but Riley saved well.

Alderley's front line worked tirelessly and forced the Sunderland defender into a poor defensive pass and Joe Gregory benefitted, running through on the 'keeper and slotting home.

The second half again was dominated by Alderley, credit to Sunderland who continued to battle and were rewarded with a series of penalty corners, but they were unable to get a shot on target.

Ben Gregory got on the score sheet when he broke free from his marker and finished high into the net with a fierce reverse stick strike.

It was soon 4-0, when good work from Gregory allowed Coxon the chance to deflect the ball into the roof of the net.

The fifth was scored by Khalid Sawas, who broke from the back, played a wall pass on the edge of the D and rolled the defender to give him the chance to shoot and he found the bottom corner with aplomb.

Alderley put the icing on the cake with a great team goal, Badger releasing Taylor who in turn found Gregory who crossed for Coxon to complete his hat-trick.

Alderley Edge 2nds stretched their lead in NW Div 2, with a 5-3 win away at Colwyn Bay. Sam Baker was the star of the show grabbing four of the goals and Alex Morgan scored the other.

This is a member post by James Riley.

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Hockey
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Comments

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Kelvin Briggs
Monday 21st November 2011 at 9:28 am
THE EDGE is fast becoming the place to be with big crowds watching the matches on Saturdays and over 120 children playing hockey each Sunday morning. Plenty of community use with Alderley United junior footballers also using the facility. A quite magnificent sporting facility.