A gallant Alderley Edge has lost to Chester in the second last match of the season 4-0. With several regulars unavailable for the match and no substitutes, Edge went in with the game plan of trying to make it difficult for second placed Chester, to play their free flowing break away hockey.
Edge started the match well, matching Chester, and through Scarsbrook and Badger at the back controlled the flow of the game. Some good link up play from Bryant, McPherson and McGowan down the right was able to create attacking opportunities for edge that they were unable to capitalise on.
But it was Chester who broke the dead lock from a penalty corner with a drag flick low to a diving Ben Kelly’s right. Chester then continued to up the anti in the last 10 minutes of the half. A decision caught Edge on the back foot inside their defensive 23 meter line and some poor tackling allowed a Chester player to convert a reverse stick shot from 10 yards out. With only minutes remaining Alderley broke down the right with some great link up play, eventually finding Sam Gregory who’s first time strike was well saved by a diving goalkeeper.
The first 20 minutes of the second half saw Alderley pressing hard to try and stay in the game. Some great movement up front from Hardy and the Gregory’s allowed Edge to create some good opportunities. Great ball distribution from Man of the Match, Danny Butterworth, and link up play from Joe Gregory down the left, allowed Ben Gregory to use his pace and put the Chester defence under pressure.
Alderley then conceded a penalty flick on the break, with 10 minutes remaining, which gave Chester a 3-0 lead. Some slack marking then lead to a tap in on the back post for their fourth. It was a great effort from the 11 Alderley players, who will look to bounce back in the last game of the season away in Stockton next Saturday.
