Seconds wrap up promotion with title triumph
MACCLESFIELD Hockey Club saw the last league games of the 2023-2024 season for the Beavers and the Ladies 4s with every senior team in the club undefeated.
The big news of the weekend saw our Men’s 2s victory secure their top of the league spot and promotion in front of the largest home crowd we have seen so far.
Pushing back first were the Ladies 1s who made the trip over to Urmston 1s with a 5-1 victory. A must win match for the Ladies 1s, it was competitive from the first whistle as Macclesfield displayed clean and clinical hockey. With Player of the Match Sarah Duffy (4) opening up the scoring and great saves once more from keeper Jess Hughes supported by a goal line save from Jess Duffy, the first half ended with comfortable play from the visitors, but only 1-0 up.
Dominant in the second half, Urmston’s keeper had to make save after save, and a defensive foot on the line gifted Macclesfield a penalty stroke, calmly despatched by Duffy.
Fluid team passing saw Thea Losa (1) one on one with the keeper, carefully picking her spot to flick the ball into the netting. With Urmston winning a string of short corners, they were struggling to convert as Angela Duffy ensured that their attempts were cleared. But, with one sneaking in, Macclesfield were fired up for the last 10 minutes and put on a first-rate display of teamwork as Duffy’s rapid skills and 1-2s saw two goals converted in quick succession to ensure the 5-1 win and 2nd place spot.
Continuing to build on their gained promotion, the Men’s 1s added another 3 points to their tally in a dramatic 3-2 win over Triton 1s. Deadlocked for the first 20 minutes, it was hosts Triton who took the lead but despite the dismay, Macclesfield’s resilience shone as Player of the Match Ewan Campbell (2) quickly responded with an equaliser and half time arrived with a level playing field. With the cards starting to fly, Triton fell behind as Dom Lennard’s (1) well taken short corner doubled the visitors lead. As the time ticked down, Macclesfield saw Campbell’s instrumental work lead to a third goal and, despite a last minute penalty corner conversion for Triton, the Men’s 1s were successful once more as they returned with yet another victory.
Rounding off their season, the Ladies 4s took a 4-2 win over hosts Runcorn Development. Raring to go from the off, Macclesfield narrowly missed the chance to take the lead within the first minute and despite several further chances, were unable to convert. It was Runcorn on the scoresheet first as a breakaway run saw an unmarked player on the post slot it home.
Spurred on to get a goal of their own, Macclesfield applied the pressure and a battle in the goal mouth saw Jenni Needham (1) gain her first ever goal for the team. A short corner before half time saw Player of the Match Holly Jones (2) convert on a cracking straight strike.
The Ladies 4s held control in the second half and were unlucky not to score even more, with the defence holding strong, great play down the wings and fire when fighting to win the ball.
The two further goals saw Jones repeat her first strike and Leila Stoneley (1) hitting it past the diving keeper. A great final save from Sally Hall saw the ball fall to Runcorn’s forward who gained a second goal but it was not enough to take a point off the Macclesfield side.
In the first home game of the day, and the only clean sheet, the Men’s 3s defeated Winnington Park 3s, 6-0.
Looking to build on previous performances, the home side went out with the mindset of passing, possession, patience and building play which led to better decision making from the home team. 6 minutes in and the first goal came from Jeremy Allmand-Smith (4).
With Winnington cautiously pressing, the red defence were stepping in front and intercepting any attempts to pass into the attacking quarter as determined Oscar Powell and Russell Collins ensured that the visitors would not pass and distribution was accurate.
The hosts struck again as Allmand-Smith sent another over the line and Winnington stepped up their game to pressure the home side, winning several penalty corners but keeper Isaac Collins was unruffled in his halting of their attempts.
A penalty stroke before half time saw the home side 3-0 up thanks to Paul Gleave (1), ending a successful first half with plenty of positives to build on.
The second half continued in the same vein, and with some solid defending from Craig Roberts, two further goals from Allmand-Smith and a converted penalty stroke from Cameron Tebay (1) the match ended at 6-0.
It was a top of the table clash as second place Whitchurch 1s looked to halt the Men’s 2s in their promotion campaign, but they were unsuccessful. The much-anticipated game delivered high quality and intensity as Macclesfield took the win, points and league title 4-3.
Tension was high on and off the pitch as the first whistle went, with the packed sideline buzzing to hopefully see the Men’s 2s crowned champions. Play was nervous to start with, as Whitchurch came out all guns blazing to take an early lead only 5 minutes in.
Emboldened, the visitors took advantage once more to double their lead as Macclesfield struggled to settle into the game. The pressure was on to make a comeback and a penalty corner fired in by Roland Alston (2) saw a glimmer of hope that the hard work was paying off.
With half time drawing close, Whitchurch were chasing down a further goal which arrived shortly before half-time as a well taken short corner ended the half at 3-1.
It looked to be a tough uphill battle, but with composure, resilience and outstanding team work the Men’s 2s took to the pitch with renewed vigour, rewarded with a second short corner conversion as Alston narrowed the gap.
With Player of the Match Will Roberts (2) putting on an exceptional performance upfront, the score was suddenly level and the tides changed as Macclesfield played up to the crowd and Whitchurch struggled to fend off the waves of attack.
Dom Findlay gave his all in midfield, despite being rugby tackled by the opposition whose tempers were flaring, and with a precise through ball, Roberts was one on one with the keeper as the sideline held their breath. With minutes to go, Roberts skilfully dodged the keeper and the stunning finish saw the ball hit the backboard as the pitch went wild. The lead was Macclesfield’s, who only needed to hang on for a short time to be confirmed champions.
Every player gave their all and Whitchurch were kept at bay, with the final whistle blowing and victory was with the Men’s 2s jubilant after the thrilling match ended 4-3.
Over at Sandbach Development the Men’s 4s returned with a point apiece in a 1-1 draw.
Starting well, the Macclesfield midfield held play as distribution and 1-2 passes down the wings saw them pressure Sandbach’s defence but the side struggled to convert these plays into goal scoring opportunities.
Macclesfield’s best chance in the first half came from a through ball and driving run culminating in a shot from David Lawrance who was denied by the keeper. It was back and forth play as keeper Phil Holder was called into action, but half time saw the scoreline remain level at 0-0.
A positive team talk had Macclesfield focused on stamina against the Sandbach substitutions and it there were less frequent chances for both sides.
With five minutes to go, Macclesfield gained a short corner but the subsequent save saw the Sandbach counter attack move ahead as they slotted one home.
Not disheartened, the Men’s 4s continued to push and upon winning another short corner in the 68th minute, Captain Adam Harrison (1) deflected in the straight strike from Felix Robey to equalise, and end the match, in an even point each.
For the Beavers last league match, opponents Brooklands took a 7-0 win.
The first third of the game saw some of the best hockey that the young side had played all season as the team moved the ball with speed out wide and through winger Toby who flew up and down the pitch.
Unfortunately, the Beavers could not convert all of their great play into goals.
As the second third began, the play began to slip and defensive balls were falling to the Brooklands forwards who took full advantage and scored thrice in three minutes. Characteristically of our Beavers team, they never gave up and once again improved in the last third but the score sat at 7-0 as the final whistle blew.
A great season overall for our Beavers, many of whom will be moving up to senior hockey in September, all of who will make fantastic additions to their new teams.
With a last-minute equaliser, Deeside Ramblers 3s denied the Ladies 2s a win in a 2-2 draw.
The Ladies 3s had a double header weekend looming and pushed back first against Alderley Edge 5s with a 2-1 win. Alderley struggled to find a way through the visitor’s defence, with a hit out intercepted by Emily Allmand-Smith (1) who slotted the ball into the corner of the goal to take the lead.
Not long after, a determined run and cross from
Edith Middlemass was tapped into the net by Megan Behan (1).
Eventually, Alderley settled down and came back at Macclesfield with a series of short corners but stout defending from Holly Houghton and Liz Burden kept the hosts at bay.
The Ladies 3s continued to work tirelessly throughout the second half, holding Alderley at arm’s length for the majority, reducing their opportunities to score as Player of the Match Honore Hemingway-Clarke stood out. Close to the final whistle, Alderley finally broke through the defence to gain a goal back but were unable to find any more chances.
On Sunday, the Ladies 3s travelled over to Lymm 3s and saw success again with a 4-1 win. Both sides were hungry for the win but it was Macclesfield who took the lead first as Player of the Match Helen Saunders (2) skilfully defeated the defence.
Undeterred, Lymm came back fighting and swiftly levelled the scoreline.
Macclesfield continued to work well as a team, implementing a high press and eventually they broke through with a lovely goal from Lauren Rigby (1) and the score sat at 2-1 going into half time.
During the second half, both sides saw numerous short corners gained and luckily one paid off for the visitors with an excellent shot from Pippa Crook (1).
With the final 10 minutes a battle, chance after chance were created by each team but it was the Ladies 3s who were successful once more as Saunders sealed the 4-1 win.