An away day for Stockport……

Sunday saw the first outing of the Stockport vets team as they played in the third round of the  England Hockey Masters cup away against Sutton Coldfield Sundowners.  The team were venturing into the unknown; an internet search just mentioned that Jane Sixsmith, ex England hockey could be playing!!
 
The pitch at Sutton was very muddy, a bit like soggy grass but after a quick warm up an explanation of the Plan A formation by captain Hilary we were off and the defence of Sharon, Wendy and Louise were under attack from the start and Angela in goal was forced to make some great kicked clearances, diving saves and even pushed one over the cross bar! …. The midfield of Hilary, Mo, Helen and Lesley tried to stem the flow but Sutton were obviously a well drilled team and for one use to playing with each other which many of us weren’t. Stockport managed to create down the right with Debbie and Hilary linking up well and Helen sprinting onto the odd long ball that did managed to get through the Sutton midfield. Stockport made Sutton really work for their first goal which came just before half time.
 
After oxygen and a drink (not Bacardi) at half time, the first half was about to start again, but Hilary had lost her stick during the team talk (again!), … a shout onto the pitch “Has everyone got the right stick” came back with a reply “ yes “ from most….then Bernie piped up “No” and sticks were swapped!!
 
From the start Sutton picked up the pace immediately and scored within minutes of the restart, their third was a great goal (from a Jenny Worth lookylikey…..well in 40 years time!) and after an accidental(!) foot stopped a goal Angela faced a flick for Sutton 4th.  As we returned for the restart Hilary shouted the move to plan N which spurred Stockport on, Fiona had a shot on goal, but it was pushed wide, Helen and Josie tried to pressure the goalie. And Hilary and Mo pushed up the right which finally resulted with Debbie whipping in a low cross which had the defence confused and it ended up in the net. 4 -1 game on………
 
Sutton pushed for a 5th goal and there was some great defensive work from Bernie on the left (It was possibly the fact that she was wearing the short corner mask for at least ten minutes which confused or scared the opposition!)  And the ever nippy Wendy got in a couple of crunching tackles on the edge of the circle.
 
Final score 5 – 1 but a great all round performance from the Stockport team and at least it has put the Stockport Hockey club on the hockey map.
 
Stockport did really well to reach the 3rd round, it means we are in the top 16 vets team in England!!! (All be it by default with the help of a bye, and then a walkover) ……..with a bit of practice beforehand who knows what successful dizzy heights we could reach. Shame we didn’t manage to show them our fancy short corner tricks!
 
Well played everyone
 
Thanks to all the supporters, Dave, Lucy, Jenny and Sarah…..and Sutton for the chilli and chips!