Alderley Edge maintained top spot in North Division One after putting 8 past shell-shocked Chapeltown.
In a game Edge dominated throughout, playing patient hockey at times and also showing their great attacking talent.
They opened the scoring when James Warburton was on hand to finish at the back post. The second came from Sam Gregory who smartly deflected in a penalty corner and the third was his own work as he outstripped his marker before slipping the ball past the keeper. Ben Gregory’s run and pass was tipped in by Andy Taylor for the fourth before half time.
The second half was a similar tale with Sam Gregory completing his hat-trick, finishing off a fine passing move following a quickly taken sideline ball.
The sixth came from James McPherson as he was on hand to smartly finish when Chapeltown were unable to clear their lines. The seventh was possibly the pick of the goals as a patient build-up lead to a break away and McPherson’s flicked finish gave the keeper no chance. Ben Gregory completed the scoring with a fine individual effort finishing from a narrow angle with a reverse-stick strike.
With only one point separating the top three, Alderley have very important games in the next two weeks.
Alderley Edge 2s kept up their promotion challenge with Alex Morgan and a hat-trick from Adam Wildig giving them a 4-2 win away at Morecambe.
The thirds beat Macclesfield seconds 5-2 and the 4s kept up their hopes of promotion winning 2-0 away at South Cheshire.
