Busy Weekend

Stockport 1st v Saddleworth 1st - Lost 0-1

It was sunny but very cold on Saturday as Stockport 1st team pushed back against mid table Saddleworth 1st team.  Saddleworth troubled the Stockport defence from the start and throughout the game but were unable to find the net.  Solid defending by Gemma Cook cleared many of the Saddleworth efforts and keeper Angela Fuggle did well to deflect shots just a yard from goal with Saddleworth attackers right behind the ball.

Jenny Worth worked hard up the right channel allowing Jenny Plant and Amy Nicklin to run onto the balls but the Saddleworth defence were unbeatable.  Just as it was looking like a stale mate Saddleworth were awarded a penalty corner which they converted making the final score 1-0.

Stockport 2nds v Manchester University 4th - Lost 3-4

Stockport 2nds who are currently strong contenders to go top of 2nd division had a few significant changes in the starting eleven with some of the usual squad unavailable.  Given the importance of the match, it was a low key opening quarter of an hour with Manchester University 4ths ahead in terms of pressure and shots on goal but without seriously troubling Stockport's keeper Angela Fuggle.  Laura Woodhead, Emma Woodhead and Caroline Lumsden all had shots on goal but they lacked accuracy.

It was the 16th minute before Manchester scored when keeper Angela Fuggle just failed to reach a deep cross to the far post where a Manchester University player was waiting to sweep the ball into the net.  In the lst half it was the University team who continued to look like the team to score and they did again just before half time.

Five minutes after the re-start there was a scramble in the Man Uni circle which created a shooting chance for Lucy Rowbottom which she took bring the score to 2-1.   Within minutes the University team got on the end of a cross from the left and swept another goal past the keeper.  Undeterred Stockport continued to apply the pressure and Laura Woodhead played the ball down the right allowing Caroline Lumsden to run onto it and strike the ball into the goal.  The University team fired a fine shot past the keeper from an awkward right angle and Sam Piggins efforts in midfield paid off when she found Caroline Lumsden again in the circle to fire her shot past the keeper.  Although Stockport tried hard to find the equaliser they were unable to do so making the final score 4-3 to the University.

Stockport 3rds v Didsbury Northern 6ths - Won 5-1

Stockport 3rds travelled to the Armitage Centre for their fixture against Didsbury Northern a key game to keep them at the top of the Division 4 league table.  After an early goal from Didsbury 6ths, the 3rd team woke up and found their form.  Keeper Julie Gavin redeemed herself after the early goal by saving a penalty corner avoiding an increase in the score.  Minutes later Leah Perkins had time to find Claire Lumsden for Stockport's opening goal and Emma Richards was not far behind to get on the score sheet from a long ball from deep defence finding her out wide on the right and getting the better of the Didsbury defence.  Great finishes in the 2nd half from Clare Lumsden and Emma Richards who ran onto lovely long passes from Maureen Murphy and caught the ball just right to send it flying past the Didsbury keeper.  Ricahrds and Lumsden were unable to get their hat tricks but Leah Perkins finished off the scoring with a great driving shot making the final score 5-1 to Stockport.

Another great win for Stockport 3rds who had to fight back from being a goal down and once again Helen Elcock showed that she was not afraid to change things around and use her substitutes when required.

Stockport 4th v Urmston 3rds - Won 2-0

Sunday saw the worse of the weather but the best of the play from Stockport 4th team as they battled for a win in the cold and sweeping rain away at Urmston.  The opening goal came within the 10th minute when Jax Pheiffer did well to reverse flick the ball a yard from goal passed the Urmston keeper.  Urmston came back strong against the run of play and it was Beth Sangster who moved infield to break down the play and distribute the ball out wide to Emma Higgs and Lisa Malpass both firing fine efforts just wide of the goal.

Five minutes before the half-time whistle Jax Pheiffer went up following the award of a penalty corner and fired the ball past the keeper into the far corner of the net.  The 2nd half saw Urmston come back strong and determined to get on the score sheet.  As the clock ticked down Urmston troubled keeper Andrea Boulton who was forced to make saves from close range.  The 4th team had a much needed 2-0 win and player of the match was Beth Sangster who was prominent through the game.

Stockport 5th v Didsbury Northern 5th - Lost 0-5

The last few games have not gone well for the Stockport 5th team with 2 out of 2 games lost and with scorelines not reflecting the game.  An early goal from the Didsbury side did not bode well for the team and things went from bad to worse.  Despite excellent defending from Beth Kirkham and Di Twist Didsbury got 4 more goals past the 5th team for a disappointing 5-0 defeat.

Stockport hockey club are looking for 2 keepers - please contact Andrea on 07786 902478 or log onto www.stockporthockey.co.uk