Alderley Edge men's first team faced two away games at the weekend in the North Premier League.
Travelling up to Durham, to take on the university side on Sunday, Alderley were quietly confident of getting back on the winning track.
Alderley started the better of the two sides comfortably holding possession at the back and able to spring forward in attack. Alderley Edge were working hard upfront preventing Durham Uni from creating anything further forward.
Their reward came when Sam Gregory surged into the D and forced the ball into the goal, not for the first time this year the umpire gave a penalty corner for a foul seconds before. Fortunately this did not prove costly as Tim Pont stepped up and rifled the set-piece into the top corner.
Spurred on Alderley continued to press and create half chances. They were awarded a second corner and this time Pont was forced to run with the ball and was stopped in his tracks by a clumsy challenge and Alderley were awarded a penalty stroke. Warburton stepped up to give Edge a two goal lead.
Durham Uni came back into the game and Alderley were grateful to Ben Badger who not only defended superbly but also showed great industry providing an outlet to ease the pressure. Durham kept pressing and a mixture of good attacking play and untidy tackling gave the hosts a series of penalty corners, fortunately 'keeper James Riley was in good form making telling saves. The game became scrappier and the officials clamped down on poor play.
Right on the stroke of half time Wildig's pass cut out the 'keeper and Warburton's shot was blocked by a great piece of defending. At half time Alderley were still in front and looking to re-establish themselves in the game, unfortunately this was not the case and although possibly not getting the rub of the green in terms of decisions, Alderley were not creating enough upfront and unable to win the midfield battle, although defending well and looking threatening with their fleeting attacks.
Pont was sin-binned for a technical offence and Durham set siege on the Alderley goal, Jackson, Whitehead and Scarsbrook held firm at the back, but minutes later Durham Uni got into the D on the baseline and the cross gave a simple tap in.
Alderley started to show more attacking intent and Drummond showed neat skills, but it was not enough to create anything further. Durham grabbed an equaliser with 9 minutes to go when the ball was worked to an unmarked player who finished smartly from close range. Durham nearly snatched all 3 points as a forward found space in the D, but Riley pulled off the diving save.
A frantic last couple of minutes saw both teams throwing men forward. Williams was sin-binned with a minute to go, but Alderley kept surging forward and Oli Parker looked to have broken free only to be halted by a very robust foul challenge. 2- 2 the final score.
The day before Alderley had the journey to Deeside Ramblers, the league top scorers.
An even start to the game lead to Alderley taking the lead when Warburton was able to pick up a pass in the D and fire in a reverse stick finish. Then Deeside won a couple of corners, Riley saving the first, but Deeside's former international found the net with the second.
Alderley then completely went to sleep and conceded 3 goals in 5 minutes with Deeside winning possession and throwing men forward in huge numbers, creating simple opportunities to score. Warburton then grabbed his second when he turned down the option to pass to play a 1:2 off the 'keeper to pull a goal back.
Minutes later he had his hat-trick, a great ball from Pont released Drummond and Gregory who combined to set up Warburton at the back post. 4-3 at half time.
Alderley were quick out of the blocks in the second half and won a penalty corner, which Pont fired in off the underside of the bar. Deeside continued to attack in numbers and were awarded several corners of their own, converting three in relatively quick succession.
Parker looked to have given Alderley a life line when his driven cross was deflected in for an own goal. However Deeside had the final word scoring another corner. Final score 8-5.
The second team played Deeside 2s and streaked out to a 3-0 lead with goals from Matt Hardy, Oli Wildig and Sam Baker. Unfortunately they could not hold on and ended up drawing 3-3.
The third team have now stretched their lead at the top to 5 points following a convincing 4-0 win over second placed Lymm. The fourth team were given high praise from their opposition for their play and endeavour, but found table topping Timperley too strong and experienced and went down 4-0.
In the local derbies the 5th team crushed Macclesfield's 4th string 5-1 and in the same league the 6s thrashed Wilmslow 4s by 8 goals to nil.
This is a match report by James Riley.
