Friday

Ls 2s v Ls 3s – 0-0

A surprisingly mild night hosted the ultimate local derby match. From the onset L3s kept their composure. L2s attacked with strength and pace but were beaten by the solid defensive skills of the back line, particularly impressive work from Amy Williams and Heather Patterson. Penny Jones and Maddie Lycett worked hard to counter attack but were matched by the equally impressive defensive skills of their opponents. 3s conceded 2 short corners in the first half but the 2s could not convert their chances. It was 0-0 at half time, 3s core squad was crucial in the second half with excellent link up play provided by Rachel Evans and Meg Swain utilising the ever changing wing and front line formation. 3s gained a penalty corner but Bethan Robinson’s great strike went just wide of the goal. End score 0-0 reflects a team performance to be more than proud of.

Saturday

M4s v Macclesfield 4s – 3-0 WIN

We travelled to the hills of Macclesfield in search of a crucial three points. Charged by our efforts in the last league game we felt the same endeavour would yield the same results. Fully focused we started brightly and created chances; we controlled play but were hit on the counter attack, one down.A moments lapse saw us punished by a swift counter putting us two-nil down and remained so till half time. We were not discouraged and not out of the game. Charlie made great saves Reece ran harder than ever and Douglas was assured butMacclesfield managed to score again to go three up and we could not respond. It wasn’t always our best hockey but for heart, spirit, and intensity it was one of our best games. The loss was against a stronger than normal side so it was a good result and something our young squad can be proud of.

M2s Vs AEHC 5s – 8-1 WIN

Promotion chasing M2’s found themselves facing an away fixture against AEHC 5’s, knowing that a win takes them top of the league with 2 games in hand over Manchester men’s, with 7 games to go in the season. Crewe were quickly into their stride, building training ground crafted attack phases build from a solid defensive platform. Any early nerves were quieted with an unstoppable strike from defender Stu “Mummies boy” Raw, from a short corner rebound. Crewe’s attacking glory boys, started to feast on Casemiro style defensive control from the vastly experienced, yet youthful, central midfielders and soon had a second, rifled home by Captain Bruce Forster mid way through the first half. Crewe continued the fast paced offensive style hockey which saw veteran forward Andrew Ashworth adding to his already substantial season tally with a neat finish past the stranded Alderley keeper. Crewe continued to push for further goals and Andrew Ashworth finished beautifully with a superbly struck shot just before half time to make it 0-4 at the break. The spine tingling half time motivational team talk from coach and captain, reminiscent of Ferguson and Keane, reminded Crewe that the job was only half done. Crewe responded with a second half display of speed, fluidity and control. Both organised defensively and offensively. Crewe soon took control of the second half with wave after wave of agile attacking. The inevitable 5th goal came from a beautiful move through midfield to the waiting Nathan Watson to pounce on the perfectly weighted cross. Following the only blot on the copybook, when Alderley scored from a controversially awarded short corner, Crewe reclaimed their commanding position when, Player coach Nathan Watson again buried a low drive into the bottom corner, quickly followed by his second, Vagrants 6th, following neat build up play. Leader Bruce Forster continued the scoring blitz with a lovely finish passed the stranded home keeper, having spoilt an earlier open goal by kicking the ball instead of tapping home. Ashworth nearly pulled a glute muscle stretching for his second, and the scoring was finished by the youthful, some 30 years Ashworths junior, Freddy Nixon, with a super individual run and top class finish. 1-8 victory taking Crewe M2’s top of the league with 2 games in hand over Manchester, now 2 points adrift. Crewe are away to Winnington Park next week hoping to another 3 points after a share of the spools between these 2 sides earlier in season.

L3s v Whitchurch 2s – 3-1 LOSS

Facing Whitchurch, our L3’s battled throughout the first half with excellent spirit and teamwork. By half time and 2 goals down Crewe were ready to get back out and push harder. By gaining short corners, Heather Patterson strikes from the stop, making the final score 3-1 to Whitchurch. An excellent game with an unfortunate result that doesn’t represent the efforts and spirit of Crewe 3’s.

M1s v Deeside 2s – 5-3 LOSS

Crewe started the stronger with plenty of possession. New dad Graeme Wolfenden found space in the circle and fired home to put Crewe 1 up. The tide soon changed and Deeside put Crewe under pressure and hit back with 3 goals before the half time break. Into the 2nd half Crewe hit back with goals from Chris Regan and Jake Holland before Deeside, after a sustained amount of pressure, put the game to bed with the final score finishing Crewe 3 Deeside 5!

M3s v Whitchurch 2s – 3-1 WIN

After a frustrating 0-0 draw against AEHC last week Crewe Vagrants 3s were determined to get back on winning ways with this week’s home match against Whitchurch 2nd team. After a difficult start to the game Crewe Vagrants drew ahead with deft touch from Paul Fowler and retained this slender lead to the half time whistle. Overall Crewe had the better of the first half despite Whitchurch looking dangerous on the break. The second half continued in a similar way and after a couple of shots which the Crewe team thought had crossed the line, Dave Freeman hit a crushing shot into the bottom corner doubling Crewe’s lead. Despite a late rally from Whitchurch bringing it back to 2-1 the game was put beyond doubt with Gareth Pask making it 3-1.

L2s v AEHC 6’s – 6-1 WIN

At home after watching an inspiring win from the Ladies 1st Team. This set us off in high spirits and with Captain Leanne Read & Coach Peter Mulford’s trail blazing game plan, what could possibly go wrong?! Some excellent connective play through the middle from Katie Gibbs-Blythe, to Leanne Read, Nic Shrubb, Jennie Hewett & out to the wings led to two goals from Bethan Robinson & Mel Brooks which settled the nerves….a bit.
On the other hand, we had the awesome Becca Jackson GK on terrific form, saving our bacon countless times! We were now determined to work hard & put in a convincing performance.
The Edge were young & speedy with a quick counterattack, fortunately our experienced (for which read long suffering) defensive back line of Erin Wray, Nova Wallace, Katie Gibbs-Blythe & Katie Bell handled all they threw at them expertly. We got tired though, and Pete’s advice of working hard off the ball moved from a ‘non negotiable’, to more of a, ‘can we talk about this?’. They pulled one back so we needed to step it up a gear and, luckily for us, we had the sideline Crewe Vagrants club support to help us to do it. We came out hard in the second half. Some great one twosbetween Nova Wallace, Mel Brooks & Trish Boffey led to another goal. Bethan Robinson & Jennie Hewett tackled and led relentlessly down the wings. Mel Brooks & Grace Leonard scored through open play and a cracking pass to Nic ‘the slip’ Shrubb off the last short corner of the match sealed a convincing 6:1 victory. Great club & team support has set us up well for Golbourne 2s away next week.

L1s v Chester 3s – 2-0 WIN

After a strong performance and well-earned 3 points the previous week, Crewe went into this week’s match against bottom-of-the-table Chester 3s with a confident attitude. Crewe made several attacking plays early on, testing the visitor’s goalkeeper and winning penalty-corners. Deadlock was eventually broken with a Crewe counter-attack, with Zoe Franklin taking an early shot as she entered the D and scoring the first goal of the match. The lead was doubled shortly after, with POM Bev Jackson striking the ball clean into the bottom corner of the goal. Crewe continued the second half with confidence, playing some lovely attacking hockey. Despite several strong chances from the Crewe forward line, the score remained at 2-0. Solid defensive play from Crewe helped to achieve a clean-sheet, with some excellent tackles and saves. Crewe can take lots of positives into next week’s rearranged match against Wilmslow.

L4s v Sandbach 2’s 1-1 – DRAW

From the off, it was obvious that both teams were desperate to win. In terms of attacking in our danger zone, Sandbach dominated the first half. Lots of attempts on goal were thwarted by the defence and a number of 1 on 1’s cleared by goalkeeper and captain, Adele White. Crewe executed short passes which filtered up the pitch but were stifled by the defensive wall. As ever, we came out fighting in the second half. As the clock counted down, we went from strength to strength to hopefully snatch a win which was still within our grasp. Some great play down the left from defender Jess Fleet to midfielder Hannah Horsley who fed some great balls to the forwards. End to end hockey prevailed. Captain Adele White was delighted with how the team was putting into practice everything that had been agreed before the match. Lots of short corners were awarded to Sandbach, usually from long corners ‘hits’ but much to their dismay, they could not convert. Sandbach had a real breakthrough moment and popped in a goal before we had composed ourselves. Sophie McGowan, playing out of position, away from defence, proved herself to be a great attacker. Unfettered, we piled on the pressure and wore down the Sandbach defence who could not stop Amanda Woolley scoring and ultimately giving us a draw! Everyone played well and communicated effectively. A great team spirit and a much welcome point on the table.