Late equaliser ruins the day

For the first 10 minutes both sides struggle to hang on to any real possession and the game was marred by missed passes and poor challenges. Finally after some good attacking play down the left and neat stick skills by Wilson in the area, WBTCH were awarded a penalty corner. A neat routine was finished with a close range deflection at the far post by Stoddart. WBTHC used this goal as a springboard and started to build possession, but still lacked a killer instinct in front of goal, not taking numerous good chances.

Toward the end of the half the home team looked to attack with pace on the break forcing several outstanding saves from Fotheringham in goal. Eventually the home team won a short corner and after a number of scrappy deflections, the game was level. Alderley Edge were looking to use the counter attack at every opportunity and won a further penalty corner in the dying seconds of the half. To the dismay of the away team, a first time shot was dispatched into the WBTHC net to give the home team the lead. WBTHC felt very hard done to by this as they were confident the first shot was struck and not flicked and therefore, should have been disallowed for being above the height of the backboard.

Clearly annoyed by the dubious goal and their own under par performance so far, WBTHC looked to put things right and started strongly in the second half. Great attacking play by Belshire down the right, caused the home team numerous problems and it wasn’t long before one such attack set Alex Lockey free on the baseline, crossing the ball for Andy Titmus to finish from close range with a neat lifted finish. Now with confidence WBTHC pressed high up the field looking to take the lead with periods of sustained pressure. Eventually the pressure told and a penalty corner was dispatched by Wood, to once again give WBTHC a deserved lead.

WBTHC now had a lot of possession and looked to control the game in the Edge half, but the home team still continued to look dangerous on the break. With 5 minutes remaining the home team managed to force a fortunate equaliser with a run into the D from the right hand side. A miss hit cross slipped under the advancing frame of Fotheringham and slowly rolled into the far corner.

WBTHC clearly shell shocked after giving up their lead so late in the game, had to once again look for a winning goal, whist also making sure they weren’t caught on the break. In the last seconds of the game Alderley Edge pounced on a loose ball and thought they had a chance to win the game, only to be pulled back for a foot. The home team forced a penalty corner at the very death, but could not force a final decisive goal.

Another very good game for the spectators, but WBTHC will see this as 2 points lost, rather than 1 point gained. Clinical finishing needs to be improved to start turning their possession into victories.

MOM: Blair Fotheringham

Goals: J.Stoddart, A.Titmus, J.Wood