5s bring home the bacon

Stockport 1st Team V Bolton Manto 1st Team

Fog and a partially frozen pitch made what was always going to be a difficult tie against top of the division Manto even tougher.  Stockport were put under pressure from the start and conceded the first of what were to be many short corners almost immediately.  Adele Lumsdon’s solid defence on the line thwarted Manto’s first effort, but it wasn’t long before they were able to convert another short corner for their first goal.

Stockport responded by applying pressure of their own, and when Lisa Horbury was obstructed in front of goal a penalty flick was awarded.   Amy Nicklin’s shot appeared to have been saved, but the Manto keeper had been standing in front of the line when it was taken.  Amy kept her composure to score convincingly at the second attempt.  

Twenty minutes into the half, defensive errors from Stockport were rubbed in by an unlucky bounce of the ball leaving it perfectly positioned for Manto to scoop it into a wide-open net: 2-1.  Despite the disappointment of the soft goal, Stockport continued to push forward and to create chances but just couldn’t get past the Manto defence.  Just before half-time, Manto put together yet another set of penetrating passes and scored to go into the break 3-1 ahead.

The second-half started as the first had finished with sustained pressure from Manto and a series of short corners: five minutes into the half Manto put one away for 4-1, and not long after hit another for 5-1.   The last quarter saw some better play from Stockport and improved possession and passing. Lucy Cook made some great interceptions, Charlie Simms distributed the ball well and Laura Woodhead made some charging runs down the right, but the few shots Stockport had were saved.  Final score: 5-1

Stockport 2nds v Bury & Elton 1st

The 2nd team played top of the table Bury & Elton 1’s on Saturday, missing a few players it was Bury that started brightly in the cold foggy conditions at Werneth and they were soon one up.  Stockport began to find their feet with Lucy Rowbottom working hard in midfield but soon some good work down the right Bury were two up. Stockport did played an excellent passing game but couldn’t break the deadlock.  0 – 2 at Half time.  Stockport came out firing on all cylinders in the 2nd half and got control the match and forced a number of penalty corners,  Amy Nicklin converted one to make the score 1 – 2, this led to a tense 15 minutes with Stockport desperately trying to get an equaliser.  However, Bury & Elton defence held tight and caught Stockport out on the break and scored to make it 1 - 3.  Stockport heads didn’t go down and in the dying minutes Stockport scored a second, Amy Nicklin scoring from a penalty corner to make the final score 2 – 3.

Stockport 3rds v Urmston 3rds

Stockport 3s travelled to Urmston Well Acre School to find a frosty pitch and the match on the verge of being cancelled.  After lengthy debate it was agreed to go ahead and the first half saw Stockport 3s under a lot of pressure from the strong Urmston side.  With key players missing it took while for the team to gel and Urmston took advantage winning a number of short corners and converting two of them. With another goal from open play Stockport found themselves 3-0 down at half time.

In the second half Stockport upped their effort to keep themselves in the game and it wasn't long before it all paid off when Susan Elcock converted a short corner by deflecting the hit in from Debbie Moles, excellently executed shot. Although Stockport kept the pressure on attacking up the left with balls finding Jenny Waller and Lisa Malpas they could not score again.  Urmston put another away goal so the game ended 4-1 to Urmston which was a disappointing result for top of the table Stockport 3s.

Stockport 4ths v Didsbury Greys 3rds

Stockport 4ths just missed out on gaining a vital three points from a tough game against Didsbury Greys 3rds who were good opposition. They settled for a draw which moves them up into mid table as the season approaches the halfway point. The game started with Stockport on top and this pressure turned into the opening goal when Christina Bates managed to get a deflection on a hit following a penalty corner.  Didsbury Greys occasionally threatened on the break and had a number of good chances at penalty corners which they were unable to convert.

However it was Stockport who created the better chances, unfortunately none of these were converted. This was largely due to a strong Didsbury defence who made a number of fine interceptions.

The second half started with Didsbury responding well and coming right back into the game. The Stockport frontline that had pressed the Didsbury defence was suddenly found wanting and this triggered an increase in possession and territory for the visitors.

Eventually Stockport were made to pay for not taking their chances when Didsbury equalised with a strong hit from the edge of the D.  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.

Stockport 5ths v Didsbury Northern 6ths

Following a few disappointing scores in recent games the 5th team were keen to get back into winning form and they did.  Stockport 5ths exerted pressure on the Didsbury Northern defence from the whistle but little was getting passed the tight marking and strong defence.  Stockport made some positive attacks up both wings with Kim Lumsden distributing the ball well through the midfield linking up with Debbie Mole, Bethany Kirkham and Romana Owens.  It wasn't long until the excellent play paid off with a goal from Debbie Mole and Bethany Kirkham.  Didsbury pulled back a goal and Stockport went into half time knowing they had to keep up the pressure in the 2nd half.

Stockport started the 2nd half with more attack, pressurising the Didsbury Northern defence with Bethany Kirkham again going through on goal and scoring her 2nd.  The Stockport defence kept absorbing the pressure but keeper Jean Woolston could not keep out a good shot from Didsbury.  With the close score of 3-2 Stockport spirits were high and score another goal winning the game 4-2.

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