Ladies 4s v Neston 4s – 6-0 Loss

As predicted, Storm Callum was lurking but thankfully no rain. We welcomed Mary Lofthouse, new to the Vagrants as well as Lauren Beresford and Suzanne Harrison returning this season. Almost immediately a powerful battle ensued, with our defensive line intercepting relentless attacks from the physical and well-drilled Neston girls. We were well composed, held our own and at half time the score was only 1-0.

We defended successfully, a number of short corners with Neston only scoring from one. Jayne Sharpe was dominant and vocal in goal; controlling her defenders and stopping a flurry of would-be goals. For the fourth time this season and rightly so, Jayne was awarded MOM. Our most successful moments were when short passes to the wings were executed which enabled steady movement up the pitch. Neston favoured our central zone, attacking in two’s or three’s. They capitalised on a couple of unfortunate decisions and scored.

Despite the weather and the score line, it was a good match. Plenty of positives to take forward and areas to work on for next week’s match which is away to Brooklands Poynton 4s.

Ladies 3s v Alderley Edge 4s – 3-0 Loss

Crewe ladies 3s hosted Alderley Edge 4 s this week. On the hunt for 3 points Crewe attacked from the whistle. Crewe having a few key players struggling or missing through injury, meant a new formation needed to be adopted. Players we adaptable and moving into new positions to help support the team. Molly Pheasey demonstrated her calm composure, despite being a new member to the team, with some great skills and runs down the wing, whilst Melodie Wilson and Lucy Morris troubled the Alderley defence with some very skilful manoeuvres. The first half was a mixture of attacks from both teams and Amanda Kimber showing her excellent goalkeeping and Kate Humphrey throwing herself to clear a shot off the line kept it goalless at half time.
The second half started fairly even with Crewe winning their only short corner of the game, but unfortunately Alderley were quick of the mark to intercept a shot from Paula Bourne. Penny Jones again covering lots of ground gave the Alderley defence a headache with her great tackles and skills of slotting the ball through into the D where Beth Atwood was very unfortunate not to convert. Alderley got a quick attack and scored the first goal of the game, but Crewe never gave up and continued to fight back. Grita Vilutyte threw herself into some amazing tackles and winning all of them with complete confidence and determination. Unfortunately, Alderley managed to attack and win another 2 lucky goals but it wasn’t putting off a strong and determined team. However, with minutes to go Vice Captain Erin Wray stepping up to play an amazing game in midfield alongside her captain unfortunately got a ball to the eye and had to leave the pitch. With minutes to go Crewe continued to battle but unfortunately did not get the 3 points they could have. A well-deserved Player of the Match to goalkeeper Amanda Kimber, now with a hat trick of player of the matches under her belt. A great team performance and lots to take forward to next week away at Buckley.

Ladies 2s v Macclesfield 1s – 3-3 Draw
Crewe ladies 2s travelled to Macclesfield and expected a tough battle after reviewing Macc’s form this year. first half proved to be a very equal battle with both sides having similar goal scoring opportunities. Player of the match Grace Leonard make save after save to keep the score level going into the break. Macclesfield took the lead early in the second half but only for Crewe to level the scoreline through a well worked penalty corner routine which saw Morgan zwijnen slotting the ball home. Macclesfield took the lead again from a rocket of a shot but Crewe weren’t for lying down and battled hard ending with Mel Brooks touching the ball home. From the restart Macclesfield took the lead for the third time within seconds and Crewe really had to work hard with Shami Ahmed dropping into the middle to gain vital possession. Zwijnen and Laura McLeod battled hard in the midfield along with every member of the team digging deep to win a penalty corner in the dying minutes. Injected by Bev Jackson , stopped and struck by McLeod and lying in wait at the right post Ahmed who got a vital touch to see the ball cross the line and Crewe secure a point.

Ladies 1s Wilmslow 1s

Ladies 1s has a tough match this week against last year’s league winners. Both Wilmslow and Crewe came out hard from the start. After 20 mins Wilmslow broke the deadlock followed quickly by a second a second goal. Crewe were not to be disheartened though and followed by a goal worked excellently up the pitch by Shez Marsden and Marianne Hunter. The score was 2-1 going into the second half. Crewe were quick from the start with Zoe Franklin, Lisa Holland, Shez Marsden and Izzy Escott putting pressure on the oppositions defence. But it was Marianne Hunter who clinched the 2nd goal to even the score line. Some tense moments followed for Crewe, with Ali Smith making some spectacular saves under great pressure from the Wilmslow forwards. Unfortunately, despite some excellent performances by the Crewe’s defence and Jen Zwijnen and debutant Emily Ford, Wilmslow’s well worked short corners earned them two further goals. Strong performances were put in by the whole team, who were disappointed with the final result. Bolton away next week

Mens 1s v Urmston 1s – 5-4 Loss

The men’s 1s went to Urmston this week which is always a tough place to play at. The game started at a very high pace with both teams exchanging chances and then goals. Chris Regan put the visitors ahead with a short corner, the hosts punched back with a well taken goal of their own before Jack Townsend fired his counter punch in to the bottom corner to put Crewe 2-1 up. 2-1 became 2-2 before Phil Robinson slapped a bouncing ball high into the net. Half time 3-2 to Crewe. Urmston started the stronger and scored a short corner before James Capper found space in the D to put Crewe 4-3 up. Urmstons constant pressure eventually turned into goals with the final score being Urmston 5 Crewe 4

Mens 2s v Timperley 5s – 5-0 Win
The men’s 2s travelled to Timperley this week. The first half was a closely fought contest with both sides creating opportunities. Crewe were the more clinical when Russ Gibbons slipped the ball into Greg Marshall at the top of the D to drill it into the bottom corner. With a 1-0 lead at half time Crewe looked to increase the pressure on the Timperley back line in the second half. This paid off in a short corner, Simon Childs found Steve Bourne who finished the ball smartly into the side netting. With Timperley pushing on to find a goal this left space for Crewe to exploit in the D. Greg Marshall found the net 3 more times in the second half to settle the tie 5-0. Men of the match this week: Sam Holloway and Dan Read

Mens 3s – Game Rescheduled