Freeze-beating teams offer red-hot displays
WITH the temperature dropping below freezing, Macclesfield Hockey Club saw of half the senior fixtures postponed.
Luckily in the games that went ahead, the club bought the heat and came away undefeated!
Pushing back first were Ladies 2s who gained a 5-1 victory over Sandbach 1s.
Motivated to gain a result in the icy weather, the Ladies 2s ensured that their passing was accurate from the off as the team showed desire to be first to the ball.
It was Player of the Match Helen Saunders (2) who took the side into the lead, using her skills to beat the keeper. Bolstered, the Ladies 2s looked to extend their lead as they created opportunities by drawing the goalkeeper out and utilising the passing in the D.
Libby Allan (3) doubled the visitors lead, closely followed by Saunders gaining her second to hold a 3-0 lead moving into half time.
Sandbach came out fired up after their team talk, denying Macclesfield a clean sheet as they converted the first goal in the second half.
Not put off, the team continued to build on their play from the first half and Allan completed her hat-trick following more flowing displays of team passing to end the match in a convincing 5-1 win.
At City of Manchester 1s, it was a battle for the Men’s 1s who were successful in a 2-0 win.
Focusing on integrating their training, and emulating their previous positive results, the Men’s 1s went out to enjoy the match.
A game of chess ensued as possession was favoured and chances were few and far between and the home side hoped to gain an edge in front of their cheering crowd. Macclesfield were not deterred, managing to win a short corner which was converted skilfully by Morgan Jennings (1) to go 1-0 up.
It was a battle of wills as the Men’s 1s implemented coach Kev Heath’s strategic half time talk and
slowly the side increased their pressure on Manchester’s press.
Player of the Match, Mark Lockett was controlled and composed in the midfield as the visitors looked to gain an advantage.
A great show of quick, calculated passes culminated in a slip from Ash Wild causing a 1 on 1 with the keeper for James Allmand-Smith (1) who extended the lead.
The Men’s 1s retained the top of the table spot in the bid for back to back promotions.
Away at Triton 2s, the Ladies 3s had the edge in a 3-2 win. It was a tough match for the Ladies 3s as they were on an even keel with Triton.
Fighting hard across the pitch, it was Macclesfield scoring first as Emma Tinsley (1) made a superb run from defence to take the
side ahead before half time. It was an exciting second half as Triton equalised, only to see Macclesfield pull ahead once more as Chloe Rigby (1) slotted one home.
With Player of the Match Eireann Clapham putting on an outstanding performance, the Ladies 3s looked likely to extend their lead but it was an equaliser once more from the home side that took the score to 2-2.
As play moved from end-to-end tensions were rising as both teams looked to gain the upper hand. Lauren Rigby (1) took the advantage for Macclesfield first as she inched the team into the lead.
All was not over however as Triton gained a short corner as the final whistle blew.
Fortunately, Macclesfield defended this well to
ensure that they bought the three points home.
The Men’s 2s stood out once more as they hosted Golborne 2s in a 9-0 victory.
With uncertainty over the playability of the pitch, Macclesfield were delighted as the sun cleared the way for their game to go ahead.
Keen to continue their clean campaign in front of the wrapped-up home crowd, the side were 1-0 up within minutes as Dom Findlay (1) took the team ahead.
Golborne showed that they had more to offer than their league position suggested as they looked to break down Macclesfield’s prolonged periods of pressure and gained breakaway runs.
But they were unable to find an opening and it was the Men’s 2s who made the most of their chances as Roland Alston (3) rocketed in a terrific team goal following passes around the back and up the pitch. Shortly after, Alston converted a short corner and the team hit half-time at 3-0.
Confidence was brewing in both sides as Macclesfield looked to maintain the possession they had enjoyed in the first half, and Golborne worked hard to gain a goal.
With little opportunity for either team in the first 5 minutes, it was a breakaway run from Joe Ratcliffe (1) which led to a frenzy of goal scoring to take the scoreline to 8-0.
The team worked seamlessly, with Player of the Match Dom Findlay solid in midfield to assist in setting up of team goals as Alston gained a hat-trick, with Max Ainscough (3) and Mike Heathcote (1) joining the scoresheet after great displays of individual skill and drive.
As the defence kept a clean sheet, Ainscough completed his hat-trick and the score finished at 9-0 as the team look ahead to their next two tough weeks.
Last up were the Beavers team, hosting Timperley, who drew 2-2 as the pitch started to refreeze.
Macclesfield took the best of the opening exchanges in the first 10 minutes of play but were unfortunately unable to capitalise on their opportunities.
Gaining a short corner, it was Timperley on the score sheet first, maintaining their lead for the remainder of the first half as the teams’ plays were balanced.
Improving their positional play, and making some lovely accurate passes, the Beavers looked to threaten the scoreline as Player of the Match Toby ran tirelessly down the right wing to assist in creating the teams’ chances.
Macclesfield were rewarded for their efforts with goals from Harry J and Owen to take the home team 2-1 up.
In the final minutes, Timperley pinched an equaliser to end the match in a fair result of 2-2 from the evenly matched sides.
If you are interested in getting involved with our club, whether by playing, coaching, officiating or spectating, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via email at macchockey@ gmail.com or by searching for Macclesfield Hockey Club on our social media platforms!