Ladies 1st XI on track to defend the EH Investec Trophy at Lee Valley while the U12 girls become Cheshire Champions
AEHC Ladies 1s are one step away from retaining their hold on the Investec Trophy after beating Lancaster 3-1 in their semi -final on Sunday. All Edge's goals came from short corners in a game they dominated for long periods.
They now face Nottingham University in the final at Lee Valley Stadium on 30 April but, in the meantime, have the small matter of taking on local rivals Wilmslow 1s in the Cheshire Cup next Saturday. It's a nervous few days for the Ladies who have had an excellent season, losing only three games. While their league season is now over, they still await next week's final results from the Investec North Conference which will determine whether they are promoted into that league next season.
Several potential Ladies 1s players of the future were also in action in the In2hockey U12 Cheshire Championships on Sunday. Edge's girls were crowned Champions after sweeping aside competition from Neston, Winnington Park, Chester and Deeside. They then faced Bowdon in the final which ended 0-0 after normal time. The girls did a brilliant job of holding their nerve in a tense penalty flick shoot out which they won 2-1.
The U12 boys struggled in their Championships but the U10 boys played their best hockey of the season to reach the semi-final of their tournament, losing out to a very well drilled Chester A team. The U13 girls were also in tournament action at Manchester Armitage Centre where they posted four wins, two losses and a draw.
The Mens 1s rounded off their season with a staggering 17-4 win over City of York in the North Premier league. James Warburton, Ben Gregory, Scott Ashdown, Simon Parr, Angus McCormick, Ben Whitehead and Sam Buckingham all found the back of the net for Edge, consolidating their third place in the league table in the process.
The Mens 2s suffered an 8-1 loss to Newcastle University in North division 1 but the 3s closed out their outstanding season with a 9-1 win over Wrexham 1s in North West division 3. The Men finish the season in second place in the league, an agonising one point behind table topping Deeside Ramblers 3s.
Unfortunately the 4s, 5s, 6s and 7s all lost their final matches but many of the very young players in these teams can hold their heads high in what, for many, was their first season out of Junior hockey.
The Ladies 2s, runners up in Cheshire league 1, ensured they ended their season as they hope to start the next – with a win. Two goals from Emily Fell and one apiece from Georgie Dare and Millie Clee saw them run out 4-1 winners against Northop. The young 3s team also posted a win in the same league. They beat Neston 5-0 to finish seventh in the table.
The 4s suffered a harsh 10-0 loss against division 3 winners Wilmslow 2s, but the 5s had a better day beating Sale 3s 5-1. A hat-trick from Emma Fluck and one goal apiece from Katy Smith and Gemma Holland sealed the deal and ensured the Ladies finished third in the table.
The 6s and 7s both lost their respective matches against Golborne and Sandbach – the 6s were without many of their more experienced players who were enjoying the sights of Munich on the Club's Back2Hockey tour to Munich. It is rumoured that some hockey was actually played in between the Ladies' socialising activities!
Match report by Sue Polley.
