Ladies 4’s (2-1 win)
The Ladies 4’s travelled to the Wirral to face mid-table Oxton this weekend. The home team opened up the scoring via a quick breakaway and a well-executed strike on goal. Determined to make amends, Vagrants fought hard and were rewarded when Sophie Goodwin scored her debut goal for the Club. The score was level at 1-1 at half time. The second half saw Vagrants’ midfield link up well with centre forward, Molly Pheasey. Daniek MacCauley, Emily Ford, and Georgia Griffiths showing great promise as a midfield trio. Despite a succession of penalty corners, Vagrants were unable to capitalise. The winning goal resulting from player of the match, Katie Gibbs, who self-passed and dribbled the ball the short distance into the D to unleash a bullet of a shot that found the back of the net! The team were made to work hard and had to defend up until the final whistle. Eleanor Saignes, Dawn Price, Cat Bellamy, Lucy Jenkins and GK Grace Leonard working well as a unit and successfully defending several penalty corners and breaks by the Oxton Team. The Ladies 4’s kick next Saturday off with a rearranged fixture against Macclesfield 4’s at home.

Ladies 3’s (2-1 win)
The Ladies 3’s took on their biggest rivals this weekend – 2nd placed Oxton – and were determined to maintain, even extend the distance between the two teams. The game started evenly with both teams demonstrating attacking intent. Izzie Escott coming on after 15 minutes and immediately making an impact. She linked well with Charlotte Oakley on the right hand side to create the first goal scored by Trish Boffey – a nicely placed deflection. The lead helped the team gain confidence but Oxton started to put up a good fight. Defenders Erin Wray and Laura Holman making some excellent block tackles preventing Oxton from getting into the D. The second goal for the Vagrants instigated again by Izzie Escott, this time for Lauren Burgess to score. Oxton got one back just before half time from a chance deflection. Vagrants knew having a one goal lead might not be good enough to secure 3 points so continue to attack from both sides of the pitch. Chances from penalty corners weren’t converted unfortunately, and the defence and GK, Lauren Taylor, being called upon to remain strong and keep Oxton out. There was a good chance near the end of the game when Mel Brooks sent a strong ball into the D but Vagrants players couldn’t direct the ball into the back of the goal. Ellie Jones was awarded player of the match showing great composure and skill on the ball in midfield. The Ladies 3’s play a rearranged fixture away against Bowden 6’s next weekend.

Men’s 3’s (2-0 win)
With junior Escott making 2 assists in the Ladies’ 3’s, it was senior Escott who scored 2 goals for the Men’s 3’s. Vagrants started brightly, applying plenty of early pressure through the running of Sam Holloway, Tom Carvell and Dave Watson. The first Escott goal came from a hard driven ball into the D, with Jamie Escott reacting first to beat his defender and finish clinically. Vagrants then had to soak a lot of pressure by Wilmslow, but broke away late on the first half, with Lawrence Moulton playing what was a completely intended and not at all fortuitous ball (!) which came back off the post into the path of Jamie to finish well again. In the second half, Vagrants yet again had to defend doggedly as Wilmslow fought back. The defence and returning GK, Bill White, however stood strong and held on to a clean sheet. A special mention goes to Chris Habesch who did a great job umpiring his first men’s game. No League game next weekend.

Ladies 2’s (4-1 loss)
The Ladies 2’s made the trip over the Welsh border to play against Rhyl over the weekend. Rhyl took full advantage of a slow start by the Vagrants by playing the ball very wide and leaving 2 players very high. Being 4-0 down at half time wasn’t ideal, but after a few words of encouragement Vagrants played a better second half. Keeping possession and some great interceptions was evident and resulted in Penny Jones scoring a consolation goal. The performance in the second half sets a positive platform for next week’s later home game against Maccelsfield. Player of the match was Gabbie Harvey.

Men’s 2’s (4-0 loss)
Vagrants 2’s lined up for the local derby against Triton 1’s. After a bright start, a mad 10 minutes saw Crewe slip 3 goals behind, individual and team defensive errors led to 3 easy tap ins for the Triton forwards. Another goal was conceded just before half time to leave the team trailing 4-0. After a rousing half time team talk, and a shift in formation, from coach, Pete Cornell, Vagrants looked far more structured heading into the second half. The aim for the second half was to not concede and Vagrants achieved this. Top second half performances from Matt Kennerly-Ryan, Joe Harrington and Fred Dobberson demonstrated that the future is bright with juniors earning valuable experience. The last game before the festive break sees the Men’s 2’s playing in a 6 point must win game vs Manchester.

Ladies 1’s (5-2 win)
Oldham were the visitors to the Vagrants on Saturday, 2nd vs 3rd place in the League. Both teams were somewhat cautious at first, and it was Oldham who took the lead after a period of pressure. The last 5 minutes at least of the first half saw Vagrants receive penalty corner after penalty corner and with the final play of the first half, Laura MacLeod blasted the ball over the line to level things. In the second half Vagrants upped the pace of the game, Marianne Hunter (Maz), Zoe Franklin and EJ Macleod combining for EJ to slot the ball behind the keeper for a 2-1 lead. Things just went from good to great after that…MMU students, EJ and Maz running their little socks off to bag 2 goals each. The Oldham defence could not cope with the physical, tactical and technical ability of Maz and EJ. When Maz and EJ are on fire, as was the case in the second half on Saturday, the rest of the Vagrants can only stand and admire the connection between the two of them, and possibly thank their lucky stars they don’t have to chase around after them! First round of fixtures completed, now back around so Bowden 3’s at home next weekend for the Ladies 1’s.
Men’s 1’s (3-2 win)
This week the Men’s 1’s made the short trip over to Winnington Park. This fixture has a history of being a tough game and the game proved no different. Vagrants started the brighter of the two teams, dominating first 20 mins with the forwards having plenty of the ball. The first goal came from midfield via Phil Robinson, who found space in the D and firing what looked like just wide until Jack Townsend tapped in from under the GK’s nose. One goal quickly became two with Tom Bolton beating two defenders and firing a shot across the D which found James Capper’s stick and flew in off the post. 2-0 at half time and whoever scored the next goal could set the tone for the rest of the game. Unfortunately that went to Winnington from a scrappy short corner. Vagrants bounced straight back courtesy of Jack Townsend from close range. 3-1 was then 3-2 with Vagrants getting caught with the ball deep in their half. With 10 minutes to go the game could have gone either way and thankfully some cool, experienced heads saw the game out to earn the victory. Vagrants host Lytham St.Annes next weekend, looking for a win to make the Christmas festivities all the sweeter!

U10’s
The South Cheshire 3rd U10 festival took place at the Vagrants yesterday. The sun kindly melted the frost so 4 teams could gain valuable game experience. Debutants Ryan Thomas, Megan Sherratt and Adam Wilne fitted in and played really well. Ryan being a little terrier in the midfield, Megan showing leadership qualities encouraging her fellow defenders to stay in position, and Adam showing good game awareness by anticipating play and following instructions to get the ball out wide. Fran Callwood playing centre back was able to feed the midfield with her strong slaps and hits. Some 3D skills were on view from Harry Price, Charlie Greaves doing well playing in defence. Seth Carter showing promise in the midfield with some strong runs down the line. Elsbeth Leonard, Harry Poole and Erin Jenkins making valuable tackles and blocks as well as passing the ball into space. Against Triton and Deeside, the team managed to get and keep the ball in the attacking half which was really pleasing to see.