Alderley edged out in 7 goal thriller

TP drag

Alderley Edge men's 1st team remain in the lower reaches of hockey's North Premier Division after hosting City of York on Saturday.

Alderley almost had the dream start as straight from the push back York surrendered possession and Sam Gregory bore down on goal and found Adam Wildig, whose first time effort came back off the post with only 12 seconds played.

In the opening couple of minutes a ball fired in found the goal but did not receive a touch on the way through the crowded D.

Alderley Edge knew that York would pose a threat on the counter attack as they were the second top scorers in the league. Barnes was in fine tackling form and the midfield was playing with a lot more urgency. Despite Alderley continuing to press hard it was York who took the lead. A speculative ball fired into the D was deflected on the dive by the York forward and over the 'keeper, who managed to get a finger tip to it but the ball agonisingly fell over the line.

Alderley putting in a much more spirited and solid performance than of late battled back and first Tim Pont tested the 'keeper with a penalty corner before setting up Andrew Drummond for a deflection to equalise before half time.

The second half started like the first with Alderley creating chances and James Warburton was on hand to finish off good work by Gregory. Minutes later Pont made it 3-1 beating the keeper with a flicked penalty corner. Alderley did not hold on to their two goal advantage for long, as a quick bit of play enabled York to get numbers in the D and as the ball looked to be drifting wide, the York forward threw himself full length and just got to the ball and turned it inside the post. York then grabbed an equaliser with a deflection of their own from a penalty corner routine.

The game opened with both sides creating more attacking chances. Alderley unable to make the most of several half chances with Wildig going close and Gregory unfortunate not to find the killer pass after good build up work.

It was York who showed the incisive finishing. Following a free hit a York forward was given a little space at the edge of the D and his pass wide of the post was neatly turned in.

Alderley pushed for the equaliser and it looked as though they had it when Gregory fired high into the net after Pont had shown good skills to break into the D, only for the Umpire to blow for an earlier York infringement and give Alderley a penalty corner instead. In the final moments Alderley pushed hard but were unable to grab the goal required.

The second team had a hard fought draw with Didsbury Northern which was probably a fair result but Alderley can reflect on chances that did not go their way. Matt Hardy grabbed both goals including a penalty stroke as the game finished 2-2.

The threes faced their strongest opposition of the season in Neston and were held scoreless at half time. Roland Alston broke the deadlock with a close range finish after good work from Nathan Sains and Man of the Match Oli Kennon. Andy Bryant then deflected in a penalty corner to give Alderley breathing space and they withstood late pressure to take all 3 points.

The 4th team had the best result thrashing Liverpool Sefton 7-1. The 5s had another resounding victory 4-0 versus Sale 4s and the 6th team featured in another high scoring draw 3-3, with Sale 3s.

(Picture: Tim Pont fires in a penalty corner).

This match report is by James Riley.

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Hockey
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