Action-packed day as Brian bows out
MACCLESFIELD Hockey Club were out in full force this weekend with seven matches played on home turf on Saturday.
The weekend saw Club President Brian Titford umpire his final game as he retires after over 60 years of playing, volunteering and umpiring at Macclesfield.
Starting off the home games were the Ladies 2s who continued their winning run with a 3-1 win over Sandbach 1s.
Ultimately, it was another good performance for the Macclesfield side despite the visitors taking the lead into half time.
Fortunately, coach Charlie Hussey’s half time team talk gave the motivation needed to step up their game and within a minute of play restarting, the score was level.
As Player of the Match, Emma Houghton shone in holding the midfield, play was one way in the second half as everyone worked together to create the attacking opportunities that were converted by Libby Allan (1) and Sarah Hinchliffe (2) to take three goals and three points in the battle for third spot.
Hosting Deeside Ramblers 6s, the Men’s 3s took a 4-1 loss.
A tentative start to the game saw both teams holding their possession, looking for an opportunity to attack and Macclesfield had some good phases of play to win short corners and were unfortunate not to convert. It was Deeside who took the lead as a saved penalty corner fell fortuitously to the incoming forward.
Fighting back as usual, the Men’s 3s pushed on and saw the equaliser as Paddy Leese’s well picked pass find Russell Collins, who sent the ball wide for Paul Gleave to deliver a cross that was looped in by Jeremy Allmand-Smith (1).
With the score at a deserved 1-1 Deeside began to have the edge, taking the lead before half time from a well worked first time deflection.
It was a better start to the second half for the home side, displaying their usual quick passing to work the ball around the pitch looking for the gaps which lead to several attempts but no further goals.
Meanwhile, the visitors continued to press and made full use of their goal scoring opportunities to take home a 4-1 win.
Making the trip over Wrexham Glyndwr 1s, the Ladies 1s returned with a 3-1 win.
It was a clash meeting of second and third place, a must win for both sides as Macclesfield
started strong creating early chances that left Wrexham working hard in defence to intercept and place clean tackles.
Linking up well, the visitors played the ball around looking for an opening which presented itself midway through the half as Captain Sarah Duffy (1) confidently converted a short corner to take her side ahead.
Wrexham looked to pull it back but were denied as keeper Jess Hughes saved a drag flick and Jess Duffy made a goal line stop.
As the ball bounced and spun on the wet pitch, turnover was high with Player of the Match Francesca Losa picking out loose plays to make blistering runs down the wing and around the home defence.
One such run saw Losa make a great cross to Liv Richardson (1) who tapped in the second goal before half time. A defensive miscommunication as time restarted allowed the chance for Wrexham to inch back into the game yet this only served to boost Macclesfield’s desire as they created even more pressure on the home side with the winning goal seeing another Losa cross expertly controlled and cooly despatched by Sophie CarterBloor (1) to end the match at 3-1.
Next up at home were the Men’s 4s who had a narrow 1-0 defeat against Knutsford 3s. Fielding a mix of youth and experience, the Macclesfield side took to the pitch with some good runs through the midfield but were held up in their goal scoring chances by the Knutsford defence’s strong tackles. 20 minutes in and an awarded short corner gave
Knutsford the opportunity they needed as the initial strike was saved, but the rebound fell to the visitors who sent the ball over the line.
Half time saw a productive team talk as Macclesfield were aiming to utilise the wings more.
Putting the plan into action, plenty of chances were created through the wings but conversions were lacking. Player of the Match Joe Laughton was instrumental in these opportunities as his wing runs and skilled movements carried the ball into the danger zone.
With fatigue setting in, the home side parried off counter attacks and the scoreline remained unchanged and the visitors returned home with the three points.
City of Manchester 1s lost out 2-1 to league champions Men’s 1s. With Manchester looking to push for second place, Macclesfield were determined not to take their foot off the gas as both sides were fired up to add three more points to their tallies.
Fielding a high press and attacking overload Manchester applied the pressure early while the home side’s goal was to absorb the play and remain controlled and composed.
Stalemate ensued as both teams became frustrated at the lack of chances as time ticked down. Coach Kev Heath implemented some key changes in formation which paid off as Macclesfield gained a greater possession and the pace of the forward line saw a short corner won as Player of the Match James Molden (1) slipped the ball to Captain Brandon Crichton (1) who smashed the ball into the netting, gaining a 1-0 lead.
The half time message was clear – keep calm and let the ball do the work.
Manchester bought the noise as they looked to pressure the Men’s 1s once more but Louis Saunders ensured that play was kept steady in the midfield.
The visitors were relentless and gained their equaliser from a short corner, but the experience of the home side saw victory grasped as Molden sent the ball into the roof of the net to take the 2-1 win.
In a derby day for the U13s Beavers team who took on Alderley Edge in a 6-3 loss after coming back from 5-0 down in the final third as Harry J (3) deftly despatched a hat-trick.
It was a close match for the Ladies 4s who had a 2-0 loss against Warrington Development.
The early opportunities were Macclesfield’s as Lelia Stoneley made great runs down the wing to send in crosses that the side were unfortunately unable to convert.
For the majority of the first half play was even, but the Ladies 4s were caught on a turnover and Warrington opened the scoring before half time. With Coach Angela Duffy calling for more of the first, forward fast technique they have been working towards all season, the side went out with renewed vigour in the second half.
Holly Jones and Sophie Martin continued to intercept and carry the ball forwards but the Warrington keeper pulled off save after save to deny any equaliser.
With Warrington pushing to further their advantage, the stand out performances came from joint Players of the Match
Megan Martin and Heather Tewnion who made great tackles, clearances and distribution passes to halt the visitors in their tracks.
It was unlucky in the end as a miss-pass provided Warrington with the chance to double their lead and the match ended at 2-0.
Over at Golborne 2s, the Men’s 2s bought home an emphatic 10-1 win.
Arriving with plenty of warm up time, the Macclesfield side had strong intentions of solidifying their position at top of the table before the seasons end. High intensity from the start saw the visitors secure a penalty corner within minutes, expertly dispatched by Roland Alston (3).
With such an early lead, Macclesfield let their guard down slightly, allowing Golborne to take advantage of an opportunity and the game was level 15 minutes in.
Guards back in place, the Men’s 2s were unphased and followed up with two more goals before half time from Alston and Will Roberts (2). As play restarted, Golborne’s heads dropped and there were petty pushes and scrappy defending. Luckily, Macclesfield allowed the hockey to do the talking, remaining calm and collected with their patience paying off, with great supportive play from Damian Axcell and Lucas Clapham while Player of the Match Simon Darlington (2) left no room for error as the home side couldn’t get near him.
The result was a further three goals with no reply as Alston gained his hat-trick with Darlington and Roberts added to the tally. Continuing in this fashion, there was further success Roberts was joined on the score sheet by Ben Farmer (2) and Adam Herbert (1).
Macclesfield made great runs as the passes were sharp and the distribution concise to carry the team to another victory and one step closer to a well-deserved promotion.
Last up in the third 3-1 victory of the day, were the Ladies 3s who hosted Triton 2s. It was a dominant performance from the Macclesfield team as the strong passing around the back allowed for attacking plays across the whole pitch as Triton were working hard to keep the home side at bay.
Against the run of play, it was Triton on the score sheet first as a breakaway run saw the consequent short corner converted.
Undeterred, Macclesfield continued to push to convert one of their many chances and with Player of the Match Lauren Rigby (2) having a storming game upfront, the equaliser was delivered not long after.
One minute to go before half time and a defensive foot on the line gave Macclesfield the opportunity to double the lead and Liz Thomas (1) stepped up to firmly finish the awarded penalty flick.
The second half was a presentation of clean switching and fast paced passing to create even more chances for the home team and with Rigby gaining a second goal, the match ended 3-1.
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!