Wilmslow Hockey Club men make it eight wins from eight

It did not take long for Wilmslow to take the lead with Sam Dawson popping up at the back post to tap home in the first 2 minutes.

Pete Hallinan extended the lead after an excellent flowing move involving Jack Wright a minute later.

Matt Westbrook made it 3-0 with a trademark penalty corner drag flick.

James Warburton was able to capitalise on some poor defending and slotted home to make it 4-0 in the 12th minute.

Winnington Park were able to pull one goal back after some sloppy defending.

Steve Edmonds scored the pick of the goals with a finish high in to the roof off the net, before Westbrook was able to get his second of the game with a well worked penalty corner move on the stroke of half time.

Wilmslow continued to put Winnington under pressure and a goal bound effort from Pete Hallinan was tickled past the keeper by Andy Hunt.

A lapse in concentration meant Winnington were able to score their second of the game making it 7-2.

Goals 8 and 9 came late in the half, both being scored by Dawson to complete his deserved hat trick.

The score finished 9-2.

The men’s second team overcame difficult conditions and some profligate attacking to make it four wins on the spin, edging out an obdurate Winnington Park side 2-1.

In typical fashion the away side were quick out of the blocks and soon gained the upper hand, Ric Pheiffer slaloming through some clumsy tackles before squaring for Tom Corby, who made no mistake from close range.

Some last-ditch defending and questionable umpiring decisions prevented Wilmslow from extending their lead, though, and a rare attack from Winnington saw them level matters before the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern, Roger Eden netting after good work from James Bell and Gaz Roberts, but the Wilmslow forwards were regularly guilty of over-egging the pudding in the D and failed to add to their tally, making for a slightly nervy finish as the high-flying visitors held on for maximum points with a 2-1 win.

The Ladies first team played host to bottom of the league Bowdon on the back of an excellent win last weekend against Didsbury Greys.

Wilmslow started brightly and within a minute were a goal to the good with Lily Harrison converting on a penalty corner, her first goal since returning to the club from the University of Birmingham.

It was 2-0 in as many minutes with top scorer Becca Healey demonstrating her skill with a fantastic baseline dribble and selfless assist for Emilie Kelman’s second of the season.

Bowdon, after falling behind so quickly, were struggling at the back and veteran Charlie Westbrook-Platts scored a flicked rebound, her second goal in 10 years, after a fantastic shot from Maddie Troup had hit the post.

Capping off an excellent first half performance was a trademark finish by forward Di Law.

Bowdon came out stronger in the second half but it was matched by a comfortable defensive performance from Wilmslow, with the score finishing 4-0.

The Ladies second team faced local rivals Alderley Edge.

The ladies put out a strong start against Alderley, securing the majority of the possession.

Wilmslow produced a greater passion and drive, and due to some outstanding passing and skill the ladies were able to produce a number of short corners, however were unable to convert their chances.

However the ladies didn’t give up, soon their hard work paid off when Jenny Nurmi out skilled the Alderley defence, and found the back of the net in a spectacular style.

Wilmslow continued to increase the tempo and were soon rewarded again with a short corner, Fiona Jeffers stepped up to the plate to take the short corner and her shot was deflected in by Jenny Middleton-Egan.

Alderley managed to break through the Wilmslow defence and score a goal, however it was over-ruled and disallowed.

This didn’t deter Wilmslow as they pressed on and were again rewarded with a third goal, Jenny Nurmi’s second of the game.

This secured the ladies 100% success rate of the season, and puts them 5 points clear at the top of the table.

The ladies thirds travelled to Northop Hall for their game.

Wilmslow found themselves ahead after 10 minutes with a beautifully struck goal from Becki Eastwood from a Penny Sparrow cross.

Eastwood found the net again 5 minutes later to put the visitors in the lead at half time.

Northop Hall came out all guns blazing in the second half and caught the Wilmslow defence on the back foot to score two quick goals, stand in keeper Louise Broome, unlucky not to save either.

The Wilmslow team never gave up in their plight to take full points and in the last minute of the game full back Sarah Brickhill sent a weighted ball up the pitch to a waiting Sharon Holford who pushed it towards the goal where ever hungry Sam van Dellen slotted it firmly into the back of the net.

Wilmslow came away with a well-deserved 3 points from a competitive game.

The ladies fourth team faced Oxton away this weekend.

They produced a remarkable 2-0 win, despite having a kicking back instead of a goal keeper.

The ladies put in a strong performance with a string of great passing movements from the defence through to the forwards, to retain a strong degree of possession and convert two goals.

Elsewhere the men’s third team beat Knutsforfd 4-3, whilst the under 15s beat Winnington Park 9-1, and the under 13s beat Alderley 7-1.