5th Team Rise to the Challenge !    

When you come up against a big game you ask a lot of your players to rise to the challenge and I don't think anyone would dispute that is exactly what the Stockport 5th Team did against Heaton.  The 5th Team challenge was to keep the scoreline below the 8-0 the 3rds had lost the week before and they exceeded all expectations.
 
Heaton took an early lead through a reverse stick flick from Sam Barton but this did not deter the Stockport Team.  Defensively Stockport were strong with Nikki Barker and Alison Turner breaking down a lot of the Heaton attack and when Heaton did get a strike at goal Andrea Getcheffsky was on form making some great saves.  Sally McRoberts marked Jenny Foster closly which stopped Heaton from distributing the ball as much as they wanted to and Birthday Girl-Christina Bates and Hannah Williams were covering most of the pitch supporting Stockport's attacking play as well as having to get back in defence to help out the backs.
 
Natasha Getcheffsky had an excellent game timing her tackles well but seems to want to dance around the ball screaming when she has all the time in the world to control it and hit it out - stop panicking!!
 
First games for Chloe Withers and Claire Lumsden who played up front and got stuck in early on in the game making their mark.  Ceira McManee played the first half of the game up front and linked well with Debbie Mole and Michelle Morgan to pressure the Heaton defence gaining a couple of short corners but not quite managing to convert.  Half time score 1-0 to Heaton.
 
Stockport had worked hard in the first half of the game and although tired started the 2nd half of the game gaining a short corner taken by Sally McRoberts to Debbie Mole.  The first shot was saved and after a scramble in the circle Hannah Williams managed to put the bal over the goal line evening up the score to 1-1 - Stockport were extatic!
 
Heaton came back strong and almost equalised straight away following a one two between Jenny Foster and Sam Barton but the shot was saved by the goalkeeper.  Chloe Withers started creating space in Heaton's half of the pitch and made some fantastic runs down the wing but Stockport just lacked a little up front as players had dropped back playing a more defensive game.  Heaton took advantage of a tiring Stockport side and managed to score 3 more goals making the final score 4-1 to Heaton.  Although Stockport 5th team lost it was a credible game of hockey with great skills and determination and a well earned goal!  Player of the match was Andrea Getcheffsky (GK).  Well played everyone!