Ladies 4s v Bowdon 6s – 4-1 Loss

With no subs this week we had prepared ourselves for a demanding game, in beautiful leafy Bowdon, this didn’t stop us making it very clear to the opposition that we meant business. Careful planning allowed players to play in their preferred positions, maximising the team’s skillset. Even after only a few weeks it is clear the ladies are becoming more at ease with one another; evident in communication on the pitch where positive instruction and guidance is being acted upon.

It may have slipped their mind before the start of the game so, during half-time, Bowdon repositioned one of their goal-posts. The second half saw much more Crewe activity in the attacking zone with Sophie Goodwin positioning herself well on the post a number of times. Throughout the game, Chloe Leather proved a challenge to the opposition. Her speed and calm approach resulted in many breakaways up the pitch and successful passing to her teammates.

Bowdon had many opportunities in our danger zone but our defensive line was strong and intercepted their efforts. Unluckily, Bowdon scored one from a rebound shot which deflected off a defender’s stick. Jayne Sharpe directed confidently from the goal and was awarded MOM (now an accolade of three times out of five matches, go Jayne!). Some quick and powerful hit-outs saw the ball shoot up the pitch to successfully reach, one of our players. Well done to our defender, Tanya Downes who came up and scored from an attacking short corner.

At the very end of the game, a stick, belonging to a persistent Bowdon attacker found itself in front of our sweeper Alison Kellet’s feet, causing her to take a nasty tumble across the pitch. Damaged glasses, a knock to the head and some bruising, on top of a nasty cough and cold, were perhaps not the way we wanted to end Saturday.

Without a doubt, we played our best match this season. We worked extremely well as a team, with much improved communication and calling for the ball. Bring on Neston 4s next week.

Ladies 2s v Northop Hall 1s – 5-0 Loss

Crewe 2s took on a well-established Northrop hall 1st team on Saturday who proved every inch a very experience team. Northrop took the lead early doors with two very quick goals inside 6 minutes. Crewe, with new players in the squad took time to settle but once they did it became a much more evenly balanced game. Emily Ford sending the ball about the pitch with accuracy and pace. However, Crewe went into the break 3-0 down. The second half Crewe continued to work hard with and did make chances for Bev Jackson, Shami Ahmed and Jenny Hewett. Northrop Hall continued to counter attack though and Grace Leonard in goal made some outstanding saves and passes! Last ditch defending on the line by Natalie Stevenson and player of the match, Vicki Lee kept the score line down. Away to Macclesfield next week.

Ladies 3s v Northop Hall 2s – 4-1 Loss At first, we thought we turned up to play beach volleyball against Northop hall 2s, but on further inspection, it was a hockey pitch! Despite having the first push back, it took us a while to settle and get to grips with the difficult playing surface, but soon we were playing some lovely hockey and running onto the balls nicely. Northop had some early opportunities but solid performances from Crewe’s defence kept the score line at bay in the first quarter of the game. However, with advantage on Northop’s side, a foot in the D unfortunately lead to the oppositions 1st goal. Crewe kept their positivity and showed determination to stay at 1-0 until half time; with 2 fantastic goal line clearances from centre back Kate Humphrey and some spectacular dives from Amanda Kimber, earning her MoM.
From a positive half time talk and a tweak in formation we were much stronger in the second half. Everyone was tracking back and passing with precision even through the sand!! After a period of sustained pressure from Crewe, Northop managed to win the ball and break quickly to score their second and third goals. Crewe retained focus and got back to the fantastic style of hockey play we all know best.
April Roome was fantastic on the wing when both attacking and defending. Both April Roome and Claire Duncan travelled up the wing at speed and performing some great link up play with Melodie Wilson in addition to tracking back assuming a strong defensive role. There was great communication between defence and midfield stopping Northop in their tracks but unfortunately the opposition got the 4th goal from an unfortunate short corner performance. Crewe still battled on, showing maturity and strength in their performance, even when they were 4 goals behind and after a strike at goal, Trish Boffey was perfectly placed to pick up the rebound and slam the ball in the goal preventing a clean sheet for Northop. Crewe showed strong performance throughout the game with difficult circumstances and injuries at times with lots to work on for next week’s home game. Well done! Keeps your heads held up high!

Ladies 1s v Wrexham 1s – 4-1 Win

A slow start saw Crewe Vagrants Ladies 1s go behind after three minutes to Wrexham Ladies 1s as an unmarked player scored at the right post. It was the wake-up call the Vagrants needed. A Sheridan Marsden pass to Marianne Hunter set her on her way to the equaliser. Hunter dribbled past the defence and slid the ball past the keeper. It was further good work from Hunter that gave Crewe the lead; her weaving run into the circle and reverse stick cross gave Becky Bundred the opportunity to score despite pressure from a defender. It was 3-1 before the break as Hunter got her second and Crewe’s third. Wrexham started the second half strongly and gave the Crewe defence of Helen Glanville, Louise Crosbie-Potter and Emma Bostock some work to do. They dealt with this masterfully, ably supported by the central midfield pairing of Jenny Zwijnen and Dionne Johnson. The scoring was rounded off when the front three combined well again; this time it was Marsden that got the final touch. 4-1, another good away win and another great team performance.

Mens 2s v Bowdon 6s – 5-1 Win

The men’s 2s faced Bowden at home in the early game. Unlike in previous weeks Crewe started on the front foot and Nathan Lawley made a darting run down the left before sliding the ball across goal for Ian Ford to finish with less than 5 minutes on the clock. Gareth Pask then put his name on the score sheet twice before half time with some clinical plays in front of goal. The second half was a much tighter affair with Bowdon converting a short corner to make it 3-1. Crewe weathered the storm and scored twice more on the counter attack. Steve Bourne on his return from injury finding the net and celebrating excessively, as well as Jordan Ashmore on the reverse stick. Man of the match this week was a split decision between Nathan Lawley for his hard work in creating our chances and Dan Read for another outstanding performance at the back. First teamers of the not very distant future with performances like that.

Mens 3s v Maccelsfield 4s – 2-1 Win

With a bare 11, Crewe knew today would be tough, but going in with a plan and ensuring we played smart allowed Crewe to keep cool under pressure. Macclesfield started strong but Crewe quickly adapted and applied pressure with excellent mid field plays ensuring Crewe were always strong on winning a ball back. A short corner went Crewe’s way and a quick, clean play moved the ball to Jimmy Farshahi, who with a strong clean strike secured Crewe’s first goal. In the second half Crewe stuck to what worked and very quickly allowed a strong midfield play from Phil Meakin, Andy Gadsby and Martin Woodhart to give Jimmy a second chance where he cleanly flicked it over the keeper putting Crewe two up. Crewe had a few more chances but failed to secure anything. With 11 minutes to go Macclesfield secured a goal from a free hit outside the D but the hope of equalising put them under pressure which Crewe exploited for a strong finish. Overall a good game with excellent midfield plays. MOTM Jimmy Farshahi for excellence up front.

Mens 1s v Windermere 1s – 3-1 Win

The men’s 1s hosted Windermere this week. It was a very tight affair with a lot of play in the middle of the pitch. Matt Hodgson found space in the D and managed to fire home from a tight angle. Ali Reed managed to slot home with a sharp first time shot to make it 2-0 at half time. Vagrants started the stronger in the second half with Ben Read firing a penalty stroke high in to the net. As the game fizzled out Windermere managed to convert a short corner which was very much a consolation. Full time Crewe 3 Windermere 1