Runcorn hockey club seconds bounce back with impressive win against Knutsford

Mar 15 2012 by Our Correspondent, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

Runcorn 2nds 3Knutsford 3rds 2

AFTER a disappointing performance last week, Runcorn bounced back with a brilliant win against high-flying Knutsford.

Playing a formation set out to contain the expected pressure, Runcorn played simple hockey and were the better team in the opening minutes.

A penalty corner led to the first goal with Andy Scowcroft tapping in at the post. Soon Runcorn were two goals ahead after a similar penalty corner routine led to Steve Currie scoring at the opposite post.

Knutsford attacked strongly and pulled one back before half time.

The match was decided when Chris Neild, who had caused the Knutsford defence so many problems all game, broke away and Chris Maher scored superbly.

Runcorn remained well organised and defended well in the final ten minutes although Knutsford did squeeze in a goal near the end.

A deserved victory was epitomised by a man of the match performance from Geoff Dykes who never missed a tackle all game.

Runcorn Ladies 5Macclesfield Ladies 2

RUNCORN went into this game in a very determined mood, and made it clear right from the start that they intended to play an attacking game of hockey.

Ali Ritchie went close to scoring in the opening minutes of the game, before breaking the deadlock with a nicely taken goal following a great pass by Sam Maher. The favour was soon returned when Ritchie set up Sam Maher for Runcorn's second.

Despite the home side’s dominance, Macclesfield managed to pull a goal back to make the half time scoreline 2-1.

In the second half the Runcorn defensive partnership of Lauren Bradshaw and Alex Hindley once again held firm before the midfield took hold of the game. As always this solid back line gave Runcorn the confidence to push forward and the results were soon evident.

The second half was to become the Karen Jones show as the experienced forward netted a hat trick of goals to emphasise Runcorn's dominance.

Macclesfield did manage a second goal but this did not detract from an emphatic victory for Runcorn.

Andie Cole, Megan Sutch and Jo Patten all commanded the midfield throughout and Lisa Janion again worked tirelessly all game. Jo Patten was awarded the player of the match award after a great display of supporting hockey in which she was involved in many of the attacking moves for Runcorn.