ONE point from the next three matches would seal promotion for an Alderley Edge Hockey Club women’s team.

The snow-clearing efforts of 20 loyal club volunteers on Saturday was rewarded by Edge women’s seconds defeating Bowdon 3-1 in a crunch Cheshire League One clash with Bowdon.

A place in the North League is now in sights, with the women being six points clear of the rest.

All four goals in an exciting, fast-paced affair came in the second half.

Edge coach Sean Hadfield sent his troops out for the second half full of ideas and confidence, which resulted in Sarah Hopkin executing a straight strike on goal from a short corner to take Edge into the lead five minutes after the restart.

Bowdon immediately challenged and pulled one back despite the best efforts of player-of-the-match Olivia Moores.

The second breakthrough Edge sought came with just minutes to go when, after a scramble in the D, Jude Offer managed to get her stick on the ball and take Edge back in front.

The icing on the cake came in the final minute when Sophie Fox sneaked a goal to make the result conclusive.

Despite the bad weather curtailing most fixtures, Edge’s over 40s men added to making it a successful weekend at Moss Lane.

They progress to the semi finals of the England Hockey Over 40s Championship courtesy of beating Sheffield Bankers 6 -2 on Sunday.

Edge, keen on revenge for being knocked out by Bankers last year, took immediate control.

Scott Ashdown smashed a volley into the back of the net after some great work down the right by Danny Farrar.

The home team soon doubled their lead with a well improvised short corner dispatched by Julian Scarsbrook but then relaxed.

This allowed the visitors to capitalise on their limited possession and draw even going into the break.

After some strong words at half time, Edge came back out of the blocks flying with Ashdown soon completing a hat-trick before skipper Matt Hardy and Phil Benton also added to the scoring.

The women’s fourth string were also beneficiaries of Saturday’s snow clearing efforts, picking up a point from their Cheshire League Division Three relegation match against Neston.

Edge will have to pull out all the stops on Saturday against second-placed Sale’s seconds to maintain hopes of staying up.

With some new players in key positions Edge took time to settle but Katy Smith managed to get the ball past Neston’s keeper to level matters.

Katie Haszeldine found the back of the net late on but the goal was disallowed.

The Mens 6s donned their snow boots and ventured to Crewe where they beat bottom of North West division 7 Vagrants 3s 2-1. The Ladies 7s were the only other team who managed to play this weekend and were rewarded with a very comfortable 5-0 win over Golborne 3s in Cheshire League division 6 which sees them retain their fourth place in the table.