Travelling to Chapeltown to play a team with a good home record and where you were beaten last season, could have been a tough journey, however Alderley Edge Men’s 1st team put in another thoroughly professional performance and came away with the spoils.
Pinning their opponents back from the first whistle, Alderley were looking for the early goal. They began to break the opposition down, with the movement of the forwards making a telling impact on the Chapeltown back line. Eventually Alderley got their chance winning a penalty corner, James McPherson had little difficulty in firing home.
Chapeltown tried to push forward but could not beak the midfield line of Butterworth and Williams and this created space behind the defence which first Ben Gregory exploited, leaving his marker in his wake he rounded the last defender and the ‘keeper with ease to roll the ball over the line.
The Alderley defence was rarely troubled and looked comfortable in possession, with the great movement up front Barnes and Scarsbrook were able to start attacks from deep, while Sawas and Brown tidied up any potential threat.
Alderley then made it 3 before half time, when Sam Gregory scored an almost identical goal to his brother, despite a crude challenge from the last defender, he stayed on his feet to round the ‘keeper.
The second half was similar with Chapeltown trying hard but unable to cause Alderley any real trouble. James Warburton got himself on the score sheet first tucking away a half chance in the D following good build up play and then neatly finishing off a penalty corner move.
Chapeltown were awarded a penalty corner and their slick routine looked to have snatched a consolation, but Riley pulled off a fine save for his only touch of the match and preserved the clean sheet.
Alderley could have had more but the keeper prevented Warburton’s hat-trick and the Umpire stopped one attack after the ‘keeper had been beaten to award a free-hit in Alderley’s favour.
The 5-0 victory was a deserved result for a whole hearted performance and with some excellent hockey played.
