Continue their winning streak

Stockport 4th Team travelled to the Armitage Centre to play their last game before the Christmas break against Manchester University 5th Team who had won their last two games so were eager to continue their winning streak as much as Stockport were eager to continue their recent run of successful results.  Stockport had just 11 players but the good fortune that Leah Perkins turned up to umpire and after approaching a very kind gentleman from Macclesfield who was umpiring the game before. The University team started strong and had most of the possession but Helen Taylor, Adele Lumsden and Beth Sangster were well organised in the Stockport defence which frustrated the University side and closed down a lot of their play.  With Jax Phieffer missing Beth Sangster rose to the challenge of playing sweeper and although drifted left on occasions held the play with some skilful one handed stick work (get 2 hands on that stick!!).  A well organised Stockport side (I would say that!) eventually scored after a great run and pass from Leah Perkins found Chloe Withers on the post just at the half hour point.  Goalkeeper Andrea Boulton was forced to save well on 2 occasions, one being a well taken penalty corner and entertainment was provided when she went to collect the ball and fell flat on her face - the rest of the team were totally unconcerned for her well being and would rather laugh than check she was OK and John Bates gave her a 9.8 out of 10 for the dive!  The determination of Christina Bates, Chloe Withers and Lisa Malpass on the forward line paid off when in the 34th minute Fiona Holland’s close range shot from a rebound was taken over the line by the keeper making it 2-0 at half time.

The 2nd half started in a similar fashion with Manchester Uni struggling to make serious inroads into the Stockport circle and within 5 minutes a defensive error by the University clearing the ball was picked up by Helen McConliffe who struck the ball to feed Christina Bates who scored again for Stockport.  Emma Woodhead gelled the team with great distribution throughout the match and pressed the Manchester Uni defence driving the ball forward applying constant pressure.  Manchester Uni's persistence paid off with a goal when they finally managed to break down the Stockport defence and scored, which lifted their game.  Hannah Meadwell worked hard on the left half channelling the Manchester Uni players wide and forcing the play off the backline.  The University team continued with some strong attacking and shots at the Stockport goal but it was Lisa Malpass who scored on the counter attack with 10 minutes to go.  The University failed to get back into the match making the final score 4-1 to Stockport which leaves them in 5th place in the league at the Christmas break.

Shortbread treats for Christmas were provided by Helen Meadwell - don't we just love mum's coming to matches and player of the day was an early Christmas present for Andrea Boulton (me!!).  Well done to an excellent all round performance and a great high to end 2008 and may the winning long continue into 2009!