A mid table clash

Stockport 2nds v Bury & Elton 2nds

In Stockport 2nds first match of 2009 they travelled to Bury for a mid table clash against Bury & Elton , the previous match ended in a 1-1 draw so this was always going to an all to play for match. Both teams started the game well, intent on playing attacking hockey in their bid to win.  Although Stockport's Sam Piggin and Laura Woodhead did some surging runs they did not make the most of their chances and Bury scored three goals in quick succession.  3-0 down Stockport introduced the ever reliable Jenny Worth and the game started to turn around and within minutes Worth scored her first goal which was an individual effort from the half way line. In the 2nd half the frustration of the Bury team resulted in penalty corners being awarded to Stockport and Worth soon scored her 2nd goal along with Laura Woodhead to bring the game even.  After some good build up play from Nicola Attoe and Emma Woodhead, Laura Woodhead then scored her second with a fine strike from a penalty corner and the match ended in dramatic fashion with Jenny Worth scoring her hatrick to make the final score 3-5 to Stockport.

Stockport Juniors - Under 11's

Both Under 11 boys and girls hockey teams were in action on Sunday at Belle Vue in Manchester.  The boys were drawn in a tough group with Manchester, Bury and Bolton and battled hard to secure a 1-0 win against Bolton, 0-0 draw against Bury but a lapse in our communication between defender and goalkeeper cost us a goal and we lost 1-0 against Manchester.  The boys came 2nd in their group largely down to some excellent defending and clearing of the ball by Daniel Gallagher, Chris Ashton and Alex Fynn.  Ned Barlow linked well with Matthew D'Souza and got in some good goal scoring positions but could not find the elusive finish.  William Carrol, Sam Stretton, Euan Benson and Peter Withers played in attack with a lot of energy and enthusiasm showing great potential for the future. 

The girls results did not reflect their effort in their first two games as they had the majority of possession and goal scoring opportunities but were caught out on the counter attack and they lost 1-0 to both Alderley Edge and Macclesfield.  In their other games they drew 0-0 against Bury and won 1-0 against Bolton largely down to some excellent goalkeeping by Sharna Dale and defending by Dora Barlow, Ellie Foster and Sarah Stretton.  Stockport gained more momentum with each match and Jessica Carrol and Evie Barlow were beginning to have a big impact in the games being the central figures in many of the impressive moves that the young team were putting together.  Hayley Farrell, Vicky Roberts and Darcy Clay were driving the ball into the circle, forcing a number of saves from the keeper in each game.  In their final game the girls put on an excellent performance winning 4-0 against Bowden with goals from Evie Barlow (1) and a hatrick from Darcy Clay.

Andrea Boulton