Hockey: Alderley edge closer to top spot

Alderley Edge men’s first team held second place and cut the lead at the top of North Division One to two points as City of York slipped up.

Alderley had the tricky away trip to Stockton-on-Tees, a team who they had a poor record against and with similar omens of their last ill-fated trip to the North East, a defeat at Newcastle, as once again the squad was reduced on the morning of the game. They then suffered a match ending injury to a defender in the opening exchanges.

However, Alderley have developed a battling spirit and had Stockton on the back foot. They took the lead when James Warburton’s penalty corner drag flick had too much power for the keeper and the defender on the post, his 16th league goal of the season.

Stockton tried to make a match of it, but Butterworth and Sawas kept the usually potent forward line under wraps and Badger and Scarsbrook were able to start the attacks form the back. With Williams preventing the long ball getting through and McPherson and Taylor tidy in midfield Alderley began to dominate.

Wildig added the second when he was first to react to a blocked shot and cleverly flicked the ball over the keeper into the net. Alderley then caught Stockton cold, quickly winning possession and Ben Gregory beat his marker and drew the keeper, before twisting past him and firing home, making the score 3-0 at half time.

The second half was nearly all Alderley, as the game became a little more open. Both teams suffered at the hands of the over fussy inconsistent officiating, giving the game a slightly unpleasant edge.

Alderley had many chances to extend their lead, including a 4 on 1 and on several occasions they had the final pass intercepted. Ben Gregory was unfortunate to see his angled strike hit the post and he collected his own rebound and again struck the upright.

Stockton grabbed a consolation when Warburton was sin-binned for a technical infringement and they scored from the resulting penalty corner.

Alderley again had further opportunities, but it was not to be and the 3-1 win was well deserved and more comfortable than Alderley could have hoped for before the game.

The men’s seconds had a tremendous 3-0 win over promotion rivals Rhyl and the 4s maintained their great form with two wins over the weekend, 11-0 against Bowdon and 5-2 away at Wrexham. The 5s hosted Blackpool and ran off 3-0 winners.

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