Mens 1s v Keswick 1-2 LOSS

This week Crewe travelled to Keswick.
A weakened Crewe team started well with Crewe experiencing lots of the ball but not managing to create any meaningful chances.
Keswick countered quickly and went 1-0 up just before the break.
In the 2nd half Crewe kept pushing to get back on the board with a string of short corners but Keswick managed to double their lead off the back of a breakaway from a Crewe short corner.
Ian Cherry tapped home with 5 minutes to go to give Crewe a chance of a point but the game fizzled out to leave the final score Keswick 2 Crewe 1

Ladies 2s v Golbourne 2s 4-1 WIN

The lovely sunshine deceived us in to thinking it would be warm. It was not. We arrived at Golborne with the wind whipping across the pitch, and chief sub coordinator Grace Leonard huddled in to her dry robe…
Crewe started well and within the first few minutes had our first shot. The keeper saved it but Jennie Hewett trapped the ball and tried a cheeky back hand… the pea roller shot was somehow missed by the keeper and slotted into the corner. A goal is a goal though!
Some great passing between the midfield quickly lead to a pass in to the D and a clinical shot from Trish Boffey for the second goal. Within minutes another great strike from Trish for the third goal, after only 11 minutes. Everyone was working hard and some great passing and transferring from the back from Sarah Hartley, via Katie Gibbs-Blythe, Katie Bell and Nova Wallace really opened up the play, and lead to some
Brilliant running up the wing from Bethan Robinson. Crewe then struggled to settle a little, although still dominated the game. However, a counter attack from one end of the pitch to the other lead to a Golborne goal 10 minutes or so before the end of the half.

In the second half, debutant Maddie Lycett used her slick skills to get past the defenders and linked well with Louisa Naylor who put many balls in to the D.
At the other end, Goalkeeper Becca Jackson did brilliantly to save some one on one counter attacks.
Nic Shrubb and Leanne Read worked the midfield brilliantly to keep supply to the forwards, with Meg Sherratt having some lovely runs and unlucky not to get on the score sheet.
After a lot of frustrating attempts on goal, Mel Brooks got on the end of a great pass to bury the ball in the goal for the final goal of the game.
Full time score 1-4 to Crewe. At home to Oswestry next week.

L4’s v Macclesfield 4’s 5-1 LOSS

The ladies welcomed newbies to the team – Amelia Wilson and Katherine Smith; both keen to impress and that they did. Following a difficult first half where Macclesfield scored multiple times from fast breaks, a team talk at half time brought the team together for a more successful second half. The Crewe players were able to get back to defend well and keep possession through the midfield, passing effectively to give the attacking players multiple shots on target. Crewe tactically played short corners and the fifth of which, late in the 2nd half, resulted in a goal from left slip for our ‘top diamond’ Gemma Rigby. Passing was really good in all areas of the pitch with great linking up between defence, mids and forwards. There was a lot of action in the Macclesfield D from open field play and long corners alike. Several of our players followed the advice at half time by having shots at goal which were either saved by the keeper or went wide and were very unlucky not to get more than one goal on the board. Despite the score indicating otherwise, Crewe had a great game. The atmosphere and positivity from both teams reflected the efforts and enthusiasm of the players. Next week we host Whitchurch 3’s at the Vagrants.

M2s vs Lymm 2s 2-0 WIN

Looking forward to the game vs Lymm, Crewe were hopeful of a convincing victory, putting them in an ever more unreachable position to win the league and be promoted. Missing Stephen Bourne, the back bone of the team, Crewe were under pressure from the start, and to make matters worse, goal addict Paddy was away on holiday. Despite this, Crewe pushed on and gained an early lead with an assist from Freddy Nixon to Nathan Watson who cleanly slotted the ball into the bottom corner on his reverse from close range.

After the early goal, though dominating, Crewe were sloppy and failed to convert chances. A second and final goal came from a cleanly executed short corner leaving unlikely scorer Rob Featherstone with a tap in at the back post.

Despite the 2-0 victory it was a disappointing result because Crewe knew they could and should play so much

Ladies 3s v Wilmslow 4s 2-0 WIN

Crewe came into the game with determination of a win, from past form this could be achievable. Crewe started strong with plenty of link up play between Meg Swain, Rachel Evans and Crewe’s forwards. Crewe had plenty of shots on goal as well as short corners, however Wilmslow defended well to keep the ball out, the half finished 0-0.
Second half Wilmslow came out fighting but Crewe’s solid defence kept them at bay. Jackie Jones did a magnificent run down the right wing with a Wilmslow player hot on her heels resulting in a short corner for Crewe. Crewe’s first goal came from the short corner put into the goal via the post by Jackie Jones.
Crewe were starting to rattle Wilmslow by excellent skills and determination resulting in a second goal scored by Amy Williams off another well executed short corner. Wilmslow under attack started to crumble and tempers started to fray resulting in two green cards followed by a yellow. Crewe kept their cool and the game finished with a 2-0 win to Crewe. Next week, Winnington Park away.

Ladies 1s v Alderley Edge 3s 5-0 LOSS

Crewe ladies 1’s took on Alderley Edge this weekend, on what we thought would be a close game, but ended up being a sad 4-0 (maybe 5) defeat. The Edge managed to pocket a goal very quickly after the whistle was blown, but this didn’t stop Crewe fighting. Everyone was working hard, with some great runs down the pitch and some good link ups, making some chances in our own D, but we were unable to convert them. Despite some solid defending, unfortunately alderly edge got a couple more goals on the counter attack, leaving Crewe 3 down at half time. Crewe tried to keep their heads high, and battled through in the second half, some even tried to take the goal post out with their head, but after some great bouts of attacking, unfortunately the opposition kept their momentum up, and more goals were scored. It wasn’t in Crewe’s favour today, but onwards and up to the game next week – a nice late game away at Neston.

East Cheshire County Representation

On a cold but sunny Sunday, 8 players from Crewe Vagrants Hockey Club represented East Cheshire County in their first tournament.
The U15 boys traveled to The Kings School in Macclesfield to play teams from Greater Manchester, West Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria. The U15 boys came out strong, displaying their skills and great team work to win their first game. With great play continuing throughout their other games they continued to fight but the scores unfortunate not to go in their favour.
The U16 and U17 boys traveled to Neston Hockey club to play teams from Greater Manchester and West Cheshire. Split into 2 teams they all faced some strong opposition. Both teams showing great link play and good possession of the ball. The games were fast paced and showed a high level of attacking and defensive skills.
East Cheshire 1 final results were 1 win and 1 draw.
East Cheshire 2 final results were 1 draw and 1 loss.
A huge well done to all the boys and such a fantastic opportunity playing for their County.
The second half of the tournament to be played on Sunday 12th March.