Alderley Edge Men's 1st team travelled to Bolton in the North Hockey League Division One. Edge started well in difficult circumstances and soon started to create opportunities, however they were not taken.
Bolton a very committed and enthusiastic side, upped their work rate and as Edge became sloppy with possession, created chances and Riley was forced into making good saves. Bolton then thought they had scored from a penalty corner, but a previous wild air-shot meant the goal was chalked off.
Alderley then produced a fine counter attack, Sam Gregory breaking down the right and he crossed for Adam Wildig, whose first time slap went wide. Bolton then had a second goal disallowed, when they took a restart before the whistle had sounded. This infuriated the Lancastrians and lead to fiery exchanges.
The second half started as the first had finished and Bolton took the lead when a quickly taken free hit allowed the forward time to turn and shoot. Bolton continued at their frantic pace and Alderley were finding it difficult to get to grips with the game. Then another piece of luck went Alderley's way. A cross into the D was passed on by Wildig towards Matt Hardy as he controlled the ball a Bolton defender came in with a heavy challenge and the ball flew into his own goal.
Bolton were the makers of their own problems when after receiving warnings they had a player sin binned for arguing with the Umpire, this allowed Edge to settle and retain possession. When Edge were awarded a penalty corner following Bolton indiscipline Laurence Barnes rubbed salt into the wounds when he finished well lifting the ball over the advancing keeper.
Edge then made the score 3-1, when again they got in behind the Bolton defence and Ben Gregory rounded the keeper and finished on his reverse. With four games remaining Edge still have high hopes for what can be achieved.
