Alderley Edge Men's 1st team had the long journey to Newcastle University for a high noon clash of two teams looking for promotion into the North Premier Division.
Alderley Edge buoyed by two good away wins last week were confident over overturning their poor run of results in Newcastle.
It was Edge who started the brighter, keeping good possession whilst forcing the students into errors and turnovers. The opening goal came when Sam Gregory linked up with the overlapping Raj Kay, he found Joe Coxon in the D who in turn fed the ball towards James Warburton who neatly finished.
Newcastle Uni equalised against the run of play when they took advantage of Alderley Edge's hesitancy over a disputed corner and the ball was worked into the D and the forward nipped in front of his marker to score from close range.
This sparked a short spell of pressure from Newcastle, but Chris Cook was in dominating form winning several important tackles and he was ably supported by Julian Scarsbrook. Newcastle's gung-ho style meant an entertaining attacking game, but was their undoing as Edge broke away and Adam Wildig finished off a flowing move converting another Coxon pass.
The second half was fast flowing and a turning point came when, after squandering a couple of penalty corner attempts, Newcastle Uni were awarded another when Kay misjudged an ariel pass and was sin-binned. From the resulting corner Newcastle Uni equalised with a fierce strike into the bottom corner.
With the numerical advantage Newcastle pushed forward and soon took the lead when again Alderley were slow to react, Newcastle played advantage in the D and forced a shot on goal, which was saved but the rebound was picked up and dispatched.
Back up to full strength Alderley turned the tide and started to put the pressure on Newcastle Uni with Andrew Drummond showing neat skills in the midfield and Andy Williams securing possession, Alderley eventually were awarded a penalty corner. Warburton's initial effort was not dealt with by the 'keeper and as the ball crept towards the line Sam Gregory was quickest to react turning the ball in for a deserved equaliser.
The game became end-to-end with both sides looking for the win. Cook was harshly penalised and Newcastle Uni had another penalty corner, this was saved and cleared and with Newcastle pushing so many men forward Alderley had a break-away opportunity and Wildig drew the 'keeper before finding the unmarked Andy Taylor who kept his composure to flick the ball high into the net.
Newcastle Uni were not finished and whilst Alderley looked good going forward, Newcastle Uni kept attacking and creating opportunities, James Riley was forced into a good save from close range and then with only a couple of minutes to go Riley made another save from a Penalty Corner and blocked the rebound before clearing the danger. Alderley then cleverly ran down the final minute with Warburton clearing the danger using the ariel route and Ben Gregory maintaining possession in the corner.
Next weekend Alderley face another crunch game at home versus Leeds and then a second match against Stockton, two victories will see Alderley on the verge of achieving their promotion objective.
After securing promotion last weekend Alderley Edge Men's second team wrapped up the title in magnificent style crushing visitors Colwyn Bay 5-1. Set pieces being the crucial difference, Chris Hardy bagging a brace and Laurence Barnes also scored from penalty corners. Matt Hardy converted a penalty stroke and Danny Butterworth also scored from open play.
This is a member post by James Riley.
Photo: James Warburton shooting.
