Ladies 1st team (2-1 win)
The ladies 1st team travelled over to Wilmslow knowing the game might not be on. Part of the pitch was absolutely fine, the other was dubious despite some hard work with salt and brushes by Wilmslow volunteers. But with both teams keen to play the started the game. Wilmslow were well drilled and pressed high at every opportunity, they also transferred the ball across the pitch at pace. Vagrants managed to defend well as a team and prevent any goals being conceded before the break. The fog started to come down over half time and even more into the 2nd half but the players continued regardless. Wilmslow won a penalty corner early into the 2nd half, which Vagrants managed to block the initial strike, however a follow up cross found its way to a Wilmslow attacker who slotted the ball passed GK, Ali Smith. It wasn’t too long before Vagrants equalised…EJ Macleod picking the ball up around the half way line and sweetly picking out Marianne Hunter in the D who coolly and calmly moved the ball from left to right making the GK dive freeing up clear shot on goal. Class! The student combination of EJ and Maz was soon at work again, this time EJ intercepting a stray ball in the Wilmslow half, and took the ball into the D before selflessly slipping the ball to Maz on her right for another clear shot on goal. Next weekend is the last of first round of fixtures – a home game against Bolton.
Men’s 1st team (5-2 win)
In unfavourable and testing conditions for both players and umpires, the South Cheshire fog hung around for the entirety of the Men’s game against Oxton yesterday. In previous weeks, the penalty corner routines haven’t led to much success; that changed this week. Four out of the five goals came from penalty corners! The first goal came courtesy of Hendrik Willenbrink who swept the ball into the net after a fine save from the Oxton keeper. Oxton drew level from a five minute lapse. Ten minutes before the break another penalty corner was won by James Holt and converted by Chris Regan to make it 2-1 at the break. A frenetic 5 minutes saw 2-1 became 3-1, which then became 3-2. Willenbrink popping up to score his second – a carbon copy of his first. Oxton rallied and scored within seconds of the restart. Both teams then exchanged attacks until another penalty corner was won this time by Cornell. Chris Regan scoring his second of the game to take the score to 4-2. The highlight of the game came minutes from the end when Phil Robinson ‘picked the pocket’ of an Oxton defender, dribbled past another and slotted the ball calmly passed the oncoming goal keeper. Final score 5-2. Winnington Park 1st team away next weekend.

Men’s 2nd team – cancelled

Ladies 2nd team (3-0 loss)
The Ladies 2nd team game followed the Men’s 1st team so conditions weren’t ideal, but better than at most hockey pitches around the area yesterday. Taking some time to settle down, the Vagrants started to show signs of demonstrating why they are top of the League with some following moves ad being able to deal with individual and team attacks. At the half-time break the score was 0-0. Timperley persisted with their game – closing down the ball quickly, passing the ball around and switching to very good effect. Unfortunately the Vagrants couldn’t match the visitors, despite a couple of penalty corners which were well struck by Lisa Holland, but equally well saved by the Timperley GK, and 3 goals were conceded before the game was abandoned due to decreasing visibility with 10 minutes to go. Individual performances of note, Lauren Taylor in goal, Nova Wallace and Nat Stevenson in defence, all making valuable contributions. Next weekend sees the Ladies 2nd team travel to Rhyl.
Men’s 3rd team – cancelled
Ladies 3rd team – cancelled
Ladies 4th team – cancelled

Ladies O35’s (0-0 at full time, won on penalty flicks 3-1)
Morpeth made the long trip down to the Vagrants today for the 3rd round of the England Hockey O35 Trophy. The game started well for the Vagrants with some strong crosses being sent into the D from Sarah Pengally, Lisa Holland and Lucy Pearson. Morpeth’s best player testing the communication between the defence and midfield as she looked to drive and hook up with her fellow players. 0-0 at half time and Vagrants needed to make something happen in the 2nd half to match previous years’ performances. The second half was definitely Vagrants’ half: possession, attempts, penalty corners were high, loads and five on the bounce respectively but no goals came. The final whistle blew and so to penalty flicks. Lucy Pearson, Vic Lee, Laura MacLeod, Lisa Holland and Helen Potter all volunteering to take the Morpeth GK on. Vic Lee scoring on the second flick which was matched by the Morpeth 2nd penalty. Laura MacLeod making it 2-1 with the Vagrants third flick. Ali Smith only being beaten once from 4 flicks. Up stepped Helen Potter for the final flick knowing that if she converted her attempt we would win…no problem for super cool Potter!! Next round in drawn this week and will be played in February of next year.