Go fourths and multiply

Stockport 4ths just missed out on gaining a vital three points from a tough game against Didsbury Greys 3rds who were good opposition. Going into the game on the back of two wins Stockport wanted to show their opposition they were a force to be reckoned with and this was incentivised with Jenny Waller flashing a bottle of champagne in preparation for the celebration! 
Early chances fell to Lisa Malpas and Fiona Holland but the opening goal came from Christina Bates who managed to get on the end of the rebound following a penalty corner.  Having often been caught on the counter attack this season, the 4ths showed that they could also play counter-attacking hockey with lovely passing from Mo Murphy, Helen Higgs and Bernadette Pheiffer in defence through Helen Taylor, Beth Sangster, Stephanie Whyte and Hannah Meadwell in midfield to the attackers.

Didsbury Greys occasionally threatened on the break and had a number of good chances at penalty corners which they were unable to convert.  It was Stockport who created the better chances in the first half, unfortunately none of these were converted. This was largely due to a strong Didsbury defence who made a number of fine interceptions.

Mo Murphy gave Stockport a life line saving the ball off the goal line from a penalty corner and Leah Perkins gave 110% in an attacking centre half position throughout the first half as she had to leave to take grandad shopping - hope he bought you something nice!  Half time score 1-0 to Stockport.

The second half started with Didsbury responding well and coming right back into the game but the outstanding Chloe Withers was snubbing out attacks from Didsbury Greys throughout the 2nd half, while the impressive Emma Higgs, Katie Bailey and Hannah Meadwell were helping create chances. Helen Taylor and Stefanie Whyte helped support the attacks while Bernadette Pheiffer under the shouting guidance of Andrea Boulton also snuffed out many attacks on the Stockport goal.  It could have been a convincing win for Stockport but shots from Lisa Malpas and Christina Bates went just wide while Jenny Wallers effort hit the keeper and was cleared.

Eventually Stockport were made to pay for not taking their earlier chances when Didsbury Greys scored their equaliser with 2 minutes to go when Rachel Yarwood slotted the ball past the keeper after dribbling the ball almost from the half way line and scored rocketing the ball in from the edge of the circle.

In the remaining 2 minutes Stockport were unable to regain the lead and had to settle for the 1-1 draw.  Player of the match Chloe Withers and champagne has gone on ice ready for Dublin Tour next April!!

Stockport Hockey Club are still looking for a new goalkeeper, if you are interested please contact Andrea on 0161 217 2037 or log onto www.stockporthockey.co.uk