WARRINGTON Hockey Club’s Men’s 1st Team continued their perfect start to the season with a 4-1 away win at promotion favourites Sale.
The fixture has historically been a tough game for Warrington with the side falling to heavy defeats in each of the last three seasons, but the men put that behind them with a fantastic team effort.
James Warburton opened the scoring for Warrington with a composed finish after beating a couple
of Sale defenders. Defender Laurence Ankers then opened his account for the season with an
unstoppable drag-flick from a short corner won by Player of the Match Harvey Mason just before
half-time.
Sale struck back at the beginning of the second half, scoring a scruffy rebound after a great save from
goalkeeper Tom Lloyd. However, Warrington stayed strong; reclaiming their two-goal advantage
through Andrew Gould who rounded the Sale goalkeeper before tapping into an empty goal. Carl
Fairhurst added the fourth on the break by cooly slotting the ball past the onrushing keeper.
Warrington’s Men’s 2nd Team picked up their first point of the season with a 2-2 draw against Winnington Park.
Warrington got off to a great start as Gavin Brown gave them the lead with a powerful strike after an
incisive run on the right wing by Rob Powell. Winnington Park managed to grab a goal on the
counterattack before Powell put Warrington back in front with a well-placed shot from a short
corner. Unfortunately, it was Winnington Park’s lucky day as they then equalised through a freak
own goal by defender Matt Parry.
As the game wore on it became a battle of attrition with neither side managing to find a winner.
Warrington’s William Gilbert was a standout in defence while goalkeeper Nick Parry made an
excellent head-height save in the dying minutes of the game.
Warrington’s Women’s 1st Team fell to a 5-2 defeat away at Sandbach.
Warrington set out with an attacking game plan and quickly took the lead. Captain Sarah Gregson
burst through midfield before setting up Emma Thelwell who swept home her first goal of the
season. Unfortunately, the wheels fell off a little as Sandbach registered five goals without reply.
Although this was more a case of Warrington being outscored rather than outplayed, Jenny Fox and
Lauren Hayes were dominant in midfield with Abi Hynes and Laura Herst linking up well and creating
a number of chances whilst Sally McKay and Jo Nordovic continued to cause problems for the home
team.
Warrington grabbed a late consolation that their play deserved. Amy Molden smashed in a far-post
finish on debut after a well-worked short corner from Hayes and Gregson.
Warrington’s Women Development squad weren’t in action this week.
