More wins than losses and only one Escott can boast of a 100% record!!

13 Nov 2016 by Laura MacLeod

Ladies 4th (4-1 win)
After beating Alderley Edge once already this season, expectations were high for this return fixture from players and the strong support on the side line. Things didn’t quite start in Vagrants’ favour…one of the Edge’s young forward’s powerful strike finding the back of the net. Vagrants were quick to make amends though, a Katie Gibbs strike heading off-target was put back on target mid-air by Georgia Griffiths. The team started the second half strongly with some excellent passing between midfielders Emily Ford, Sophie Goodwin and Charlotte Michaels. The constant short passing up the pitch resulted in 3 similar goal line scrambles – Kate Woods nudging the ball over twice and debutant Hannah Lewis nudging the other. The Edge fought back, testing other 4th team debutants, Hannah Bratt and Dawn Price, who both made valuable defensive contributions. Eleanor Saignes and Grace Leonard also responding well under pressure to keep the score line to a minimum. I’d love to put a Fitbit on Rachel Fairfield as she would challenge some of the O35’s combined Saturday and Sunday steps with the amount of ground she covers during the game! Player of the match was Katie Gibbs who takes the side to top of the League, Sandbach next weekend.
Ladies 3rd (2-1 win)
From the very first minute Vagrants demonstrated their ability and desire which resulted in the first goal from Mel Brooks. Mel sending the ball high into the net…close to Trish Boffey’s head, and Trish really didn’t wish to collect her 2nd black eye of the week! Just testing Trish’s eyesight and reactions eh, Mel??!! After a short break to deal with an injury, Vagrants’ midfielders dominated play and provided the forwards with plenty of opportunities to double the lead before half time but it wasn’t to be. Triton rallied after the break but struggled to get past centre back Erin Wray. Vagrants won a penalty corner and through Izzy Escott went 2-0 up. Not a strike to be raving about, but a goal nonetheless! Triton gaining a goal back from their own penalty corner, Vagrants didn’t lose their heads and held onto the victory. Paula Bourne being awarded player of the match. Tough game in store next week for the Ladies 3rd team…3rd place Golbourne are the visitors to the Vagrants.
Men’s 3rd (5-4 loss)
The Men’s 3rd team came a close second yesterday against an experienced Bowden side. Vagrants did start well racing to a 2 goal lead through brothers Chris and Oli Sorenstam. Vagrants were then reduced to 10 men after a minor (!!) disagreement between Dave Watson the umpire who made a questionable decision supposedly. Bowden levelled the game heading into half time and scored another 2 quickly after the restart. Through Sam Holloway and a superbly taken second goal for Chris Sorenstam, Vagrants levelled things once again. Cruely, Bowden snatched victory after Vagrants failed to clear the ball out of the D. Vagrants remain top of the League but only on goal difference and the return fixture could prove to be the pivotal game for promotion. Macclesfield Men’s 4th are the opposition next weekend.
Ladies 2nd (1-0 loss)
First place playing second place produced an exciting, sometimes tense and evenly matched game for the Ladies 2nd team this weekend. No goals in the first half but lots of solid tackling and good passing from both sides was on show. That continued into the second half. The deadlock was broken 10 mins from time with Golbourne taking the lead. Vagrants had their opportunities, Nat Stevenson and Lisa Holland unable to score or score legally! Lauren Taylor producing a fantastic save to prevent the ball head into the top corner, Beth Hughes putting in a solid shift too. A draw would have been a more a justified outcome but, Vagrants remain top of the League. Abbie Iddenden was awarded player of the match by the opposition.
Not only have Vagrants left points behind at Golbourne, the balls seem to have been left there too…! A reward is on offer for the safe return of the bag! Contact Bev Jackson to claim a very generous gift!

Men’s 2nd (3-2 win)
The Men’s 2nd team travelled to high flying Chester 2nd team this week and with spirits high from last week’s first win, Vagrants took a 1-0 lead from good play down the right from Russell Gibbons to find Matt Hodgson who’s shot hit a foot on the line. The ensuing penalty flick was calmly put away by Nick Marshall. Within 2 minutes Vagrants found themselves doubling their lead, some brilliant dribbling from Ali Reade gave him the space to set up Joe Harrington at the back post. Chester reacted and made a few good chances but some brilliant defending and some excellent saves from keeper Adam Shenton prevented Chester from scoring.
Early into the second half Vagrants should have made it at least 3-1 with 3 excellent chances. Stand in captain, Nathan Watson just inches wide from a penalty corner as well as not finding the back of the net from a one-on-one. Watson made up for things by winning the ball high up the pitch, slotting Matt Kennerly- Ryan in who’s shot hit another foot, and from that penalty corner Reade was able to slot the ball home. Chester then started to push hard and Vagrants had to absorb a lot of pressure for the last 15 mins. GK Shenton putting in a great shift, and some excellent tacking from Marshall, Tim Alexander and Watson made it hard for Chester to get anything. In the final minute Chester were awarded a penalty corner and converted. A pleasing result for the Men’s 2nd team. Macclesfield at home next weekend.

Ladies 1st (3-2 loss)
The undefeated record of the Ladies 1st team tumbled this weekend with a narrow loss to Urmston. Urmston took the lead midway through the 1st half, Vagrants equalising through Hannah Thornhill who managed to divert the ball goal-wards from an acute angle. Vagrants upped the tempo in the second half and went 2-1 ahead through Marianne Hunter. A goal line scramble after a lovely series of short passing down the left-hand side. Urmston came back hard and put things back level and then went ahead. Vagrants were unlucky not to level things before the final whistle blowing – the Urmston GK keeping them in the game on more than one occasion. A loss was unexpected and motivation and desire to get back to winning will be high for the game against Prescot next week.

Men’s 1st (8-4 win)
A game of good attacking and poor defending would be the best way to describe yesterday’s game against West Derby. Vagrants started slowly conceding a penalty corner early on, Matt Greasby and the back four dealing with it comfortably which set the wheels in motion for what was to be a dominant first half. Two from Jack Townsend at the back post, one each for Pete Cornell and Chris Regan put the hosts 4 goals to the good within 20 minutes. A cricket score was on! Not exactly, West Derby pulling two back before the break. Soon into the second half 4 became 5 courtesy of Cornell, and so started the ping pong match! West Derby soon made it 5-3, Vagrants countered with a second penalty corner goal for Regan. 6-3, then 6-4. With 10 minutes to go and as West Derby pushed to get within one, Vagrants pacey forwards put the game beyond doubt with goals from Tom Bolton and Pete Cornell respectively. An away game against Brooklands 3rd team next week.

Men’s O40’s (6-1 loss)
Playing in their 2nd England Hockey Trophy fixture, Vagrants’ veterans faced Chesterfield. Jamie Escott scoring a well-timed goal suggesting the teams were to be evenly matched. Unfortunately, Chesterfield were strong in attack and capitalised on breakaways to beat GK, Jon Minshall a number of times. Having lost their previous game too, Vagrants are now out of the competition but resume Monday night fixtures shortly and are planning for their annual tour.

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